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Meanwhile, Health Minister Danielle McCann — reacting to the Gazette article published online earlier Friday — announced an investigation into the Herron. Sources told the Gazette that poorly equipped workers deserted their posts at the Herron on March 29 as a COVID-19 outbreak was flaring up. Later that day, the government placed the residence under trusteeship.

“I was just informed, just before I came to (this) press conference, about what you mentioned,” McCann told the Gazette. “And the CIUSSS (health authority) took charge of this residence a few days ago. And, of course, this is very preoccupying.

“I want to reassure the families about this particular finding, two people that were dead,” McCann added. “I have to make a lot of verifications on this, and I’ll do it quickly.”

In addition to the Herron, the West Island — which at first was not a government focus in the COVID-19 pandemic — is now beset with at least 117 confirmed cases of the respiratory illness and more than 460 suspected ones in 14 other public and private seniors’ facilities.

On the evening of March 29, authorities descended on the Herron. In addition to the deaths, 20 residents have been quarantined and there are dozens of suspected cases. What has not been reported until now is exactly why the Herron was placed under trusteeship.

A resident of the Herron, which charges its occupants up to $10,000 a month, was feeling unwell two weeks ago and took it upon herself to go to St. Mary’s Hospital in Côte-des-Neiges to be tested for COVID-19, three sources said.