Four new COVID-19 cases in Peterborough

Four new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city and county of Peterborough, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation were reported on Friday afternoon by Peterborough Public Health.

One case has also been resolved, the health unit reported, resulting in 15 active cases.

There have now been 170 cumulative cases in the jurisdiction since the start of the pandemic in March, with 151 cases now resolved and four deaths, including two deaths this week of residents at the Fairhaven long-term care home who tested positive.

The jurisdiction now has a cumulative rate of 115 cases per 100,000 people, less than a fifth of the provincial average of 650.9 cases per 100,000 people on Friday.

The jurisdiction’s cumulative rate of COVID-19-related deaths rose to 2.7 per 100,000 people with the two new deaths this week, but it’s nearly a tenth of the provincial average of 23.3 per 100,000 people on Friday.

It is the fourth consecutive day that at least one new local case has occurred. There has been an increase in local cases since the end of September, when 112 cases had occurred as of 24 September.

The health unit is also monitoring eight people who are considered to be at high risk due to close contact with a confirmed case.

An outbreak was declared on October 31 at the Fairhaven long-term care home after a resident’s caregiver tested positive. It is the only outbreak in the jurisdiction as of Friday.

In addition to the two resident deaths, six Fairhaven residents, all from the Westview 2 area, tested positive and were isolated in an isolation unit set up in Fairhaven’s Great Hall.

Fairhaven’s cases include two 70-year-old women, two 80-year-old women, a 90-year-old woman, and a 90-year-old man, according to Public Health Ontario.

The other active cases include three women in their twenties, a man in their twenties and a man in their seventies, according to Public Health Ontario.

The 256-bed Fairhaven has canceled general visits, essential caregiver visits and residents’ permits until the outbreak is declared over. The staff uses electronic devices to facilitate virtual visits.

Palliative patients are allowed two visitors at a time, but must wear personal protective equipment.

More than 35,400 residents, or about 23.9 percent, have been tested for the virus at least once, the health unit also reported Friday.

COVID-19 testing continues at the Peterborough Regional Health Center and Northcrest Arena, both by appointment only. To reserve a seat, visit prhc.on.ca and peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

Testing by Peterborough Public Health staff can also be arranged at home by calling 705-743-1000.

Some people can be tested at the High and Lansdowne Street Shoppers Drug Mart by appointment. Call 705-748-6141 or email [email protected] to book an appointment.

This is specific to people who meet certain criteria:

Peterborough is in the green zone under the provincial government’s new color-coded classification system for areas in the province that went into effect Saturday, the lowest level for pandemic restrictions.

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