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The coronavirus outbreak at a Bobcaygeon, Ont., nursing home claimed another four residents, increasing the overall death toll to 21, the facility’s medical director reported Friday morning.

Dr. Michelle Snarr of Pinecrest Nursing Home stated four residents had died of COVID-19 complications since she provided a report on Thursday morning.

The outbreak, which was declared in mid-March, has claimed 20 residents at the 65-bed long-term care facility, along with a spouse of one of the residents, Snarr reported.

At least two dozen staff have also tested positive for COVID-19, while 34 were showing symptoms, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit reported earlier this week.

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The Pinecrest Nursing Home outbreak is one of 32 at long-term care facilities across Ontario, the province announced Friday. Pinecrest is the largest outbreak in Ontario, health officials say.

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On Friday morning, the province confirmed 462 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the provincial total to 3,255.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, Mary Carr, facility administrator, said they are “deeply saddened” by the four deaths.

“The families of the residents have been made aware and the loss leaves a lasting mark on our residents and our care team,” she said. Tweet This

Carr said the health and safety of its residents and frontline staff is the number one priority and they continue to take every step necessary to prevent further spread of the infection.

Carr outlined the following changes in the home:

Increased staffing levels to ensure residents get the high-quality care they need including more personal support workers and more house cleaning staff

Additional cleaning equipment and enhanced cleaning techniques

A steady supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline staff to ensure that all staff and residents are safe from further spread of the virus

Partnered with Compass, a meal service company, who will provide three meals a day for all residents. This will help to relieve pressures on dietary staff to focus solely on our residents’ care

Moved all residents who are ill to one section of the home to distance them from healthy residents and mitigate any potential spread of the virus

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“We continue to work closely with Public Health and the Ministry of Health to ensure all correct protocols are being followed and that all necessary steps are being taken to manage the current outbreak,” she said. “We are grateful for the immense support from the community as we work to put residents and their families first. We are actively connecting frontline staff and families to mental health supports through Canadian Mental Health Association in Lindsay and will continue to prioritize their health and well-being.

“I particularly want to thank our frontline staff for working so hard in service of our residents,” she added. “We could not do any of this without their dedication and diligence to our residents’ care.”