91 confirmed COVID-19 cases in EOHU jurisdiction as of Monday, April 27

UPDATED AT 6:23 p.m. on 04/27/2020

There were 91 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the jurisdiction of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), as of Monday, April 27.  That number was an increase from 90 confirmed cases on on April 26.

The total number of confirmed cases includes  the existing outbreaks at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Plantagenet and at a Valoris group home in Plantagenet.  As of April 25, three employees and eight residents had tested positive for COVID-19 at the Pinecrest facility.  However, only one of the employees was showing symptoms.  There were no other COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care facilities or institutions within the EOHU’s territory on April 27.

On Monday, EOHU Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis said that health unit staff continue to closely monitor staff at Pinecrest who tested positive for any changes in their status.  All 59 residents and 58 employees at the facility have been tested.

Roumeliotis said that following a provincial order that was issued during the previous weekend, hospital staff will be able to go and assist with outbreaks at long-term care facilities if necessary.

Out of the 91 confirmed cases within the EOHU’s territory on Monday, 60 cases were in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, 17 cases were in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry, and 14 cases were in the City of Cornwall.

Among the cases within the EOHU territory on Monday, three patients were in hospital, and two of those patients were in intensive care. The EOHU was listing 42 COVID-19 cases as resolved on Monday. There have been no COVID-19 deaths within the EOHU’s jurisdiction.

Across Ontario on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health, there were 14,856 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Out of that total, 945 patients were in hospital, 241 of whom were in intensive care, and 191 of the intensive care patients were on ventilators. As of April 27, there were 892 COVID-19 deaths and 8,525 resolved cases in the province.

Testing tally

As of Monday, April 27, 1,758 people had been tested for COVID-19 at the EOHU’s five testing and assessment centres.  At the Hawkesbury centre, 480 people had been tested, 348 tests had been conducted at the drive-through centre in Casselman, and 193 people had been tested at the appointment-only facility in Rockland.  In Cornwall, 552 tests had been performed, and 185 tests had been conducted in Winchester, as of Monday.

Opening up

On Monday, the Ontario government released its three-phase plan to re-open the province’s economy and society.  Roumeliotis said the gradual reduction of public health orders depends on maintaining a flat graph curve of cases and focusing on preventing and containing outbreaks in long-term care facilities.

“We’re going to start decreasing the restrictions when we see a decrease in cases,” Roumeliotis said.

He noted that even as businesses and other public places gradually re-open, measures like using masks and mandatory hand washing could remain in place for another six months to one year.

Roumeliotis also acknowledged that periodic increases in new cases of COVID-19 could occur while measures are being relaxed.

To view the complete EOHU briefing for April 27, click here: