Although schools in the region are currently closed to elementary and secondary students, a COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Lambton Kent Composite School in Dresden.
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit declared an outbreak at the school after two staff members tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The public relations officer for the Lambton Kent Public School Board (LKDSB) said they were notified of the school's outbreak status on Wednesday.
Heather Hughes said the school is working closely with the local health unit and individuals who may have been exposed to the positive cases are being contacted.
"There are no students attending in-person learning at the school. Due to privacy considerations, no more specific information can be provided," said Hughes. "The LKDSB takes all probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 seriously and follows the directions of Public Health regarding communication of confirmed cases. LKDSB also ensures all necessary health and safety protocols, such as closure of classrooms and deep cleaning, are implemented."
Eighteen new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Chatham-Kent on Wednesday and only eight cases were marked as resolved. The number of active cases locally is now at 103.As for the ongoing outbreak at Fairfield Park Nursing Home in Wallaceburg, the number of total cases has increased to 23.
Public Health Unit Spokesperson Jeff Moco confirmed that more resident cases have been confirmed since Tuesday, however, a question about the specific ratio of staff and resident cases has been deferred to the nursing home. Blackburn News reached out to Fairfield Park but has not yet to received a response.
“Since the outbreak was declared, we have been working very closely with facility administration on management and control of the outbreak. Other community care partners, particularly CKHA and EMS, have worked with us to provide support to the facility," said Moco in a statement. "Ongoing outbreak control measures include isolation of residents to their rooms, cohorting of staff and residents, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting practices, strategic testing of all staff and residents at appropriate intervals, diligent PPE usage by all staff and essential caregivers, cancellation of unnecessary activities throughout the building, and physical distancing, in order to mitigate further transmission."
An outbreak at a congregate living setting in Chatham-Kent was also declared on Wednesday, bring that total up to three.
The number of workplace outbreaks remains at four. The number of Chatham-Kent residents hospitalized with COVID-19 also remain at three.
