After a COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Hastings Manor in Belleville this week, Ontario’s Minister of Long Term Care joined CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show, to talk about how the government is handling the situation.
Dr. Merrilee Fullerton says the province is trying to “put up a steel fence” around its LTC facilities and help protect the health and safety of some of the most vulnerable people in Ontario.
Fullerton says it only takes a couple of positive COVID-19 cases at an LTC facility for an outbreak to be declared.
She says of the 630-plus long term care facilities across the province, there are outbreaks at 49 of them and a potential outbreak at one.
Dr. Fullerton also addressed concerns about staff members not having enough personal protective equipment, or that they are being overworked and says those issues are being addressed.
Fullerton says two emergency orders have been given to allow facilities to have more flexibility in how they manage their staff during the pandemic.
She also praised frontline workers for what they’re doing to protect people and keep them safe.
Here is the full interview with Ontario Minister of Long Term Care Dr. Merrilee Fullerton:
