A resident at Fairfield Park in Wallaceburg, who had tested positive for COVID-19, has died.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share of the passing of a resident at Fairfield Park who had tested positive for COVID-19,” Fairfield Park officials posted on their website on Thursday, February 4, 2021.
“The leadership team at Fairfield Park shares our deepest condolences with the family, friends and team members carrying the weight of this loss today.”
Fairfield Park officials say they are working closely with the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit and their health system partners to manage the COVID-19 outbreak in the Dufferin Avenue home to curb the spread of infection.
“We have implemented and continue to follow all new and ongoing infection prevention and control measures as directed by the province,” Fairfield Park officials say.
“These ongoing measures include the use of appropriate personal protective equipment at all times, enhanced cleaning measures, twice daily symptom monitoring of all residents and staff and isolating residents to their rooms with in-room meal service. In addition, we are continuing weekly testing of residents and staff.”
Fairfield Park officials added: “During this difficult time, everyone at Fairfield Park continues to do everything they can to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of staff and residents are maintained. We appreciate your continued support during this time.”
Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit officials say a total 87 COVID-19 cases are now linked to the outbreak at Fairfield Park.
“The current approach has been to isolate and cohort positive cases and ensure infection control practices are occurring within the facility and that retesting is occurring frequently,” Jeff Moco, a spokesperson for CK Public Health, told the Sydenham Current on Thursday.
Moco added he did not have any further details to share about the death announced by Fairfield Park officials.
Earlier in the day on Thursday, officials with Unifor National stated in a press release that Fairfield Park had purchased non-medical grade masks for its employees.
Fairfield Park only removed the masks “after the union did their own research to disprove the employer’s claims” that the masks were government approved, Unifor officials stated.
“Fairfield Park is in a terrible outbreak, and this owner put their own workers at risk while the virus spread through the building infecting residents and staff,” stated Tullio DiPonti, President of Unifor Local 2458, in a press release.
“Premier Ford should pull their license for contributing to the spread of this terrible virus.”
Meanwhile, local health officials disputed the claims made by the union.
Moco told the Sydenham Current that Dr. David Colby, Chatham-Kent’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, was “satisfied with the types of PPE provided” to the staff at Fairfield Park.
Reports say Lori Marshall, the President and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, confirmed during a press conference on Thursday that the masks used at Fairfield Park are the same as what is used in the hospital.
Officials with the hospital could not be immediately reached for comment.
On Tuesday, Fairfield Park officials published a list of frequently asked questions based on their communication with families and essential caregivers. You can read the information, here.
As of Tuesday, there were 32 residents, 26 staff and one essential caregiver that have tested positive for COVID-19 within the home, Fairfield Park officials say.
The outbreak was first declared by public health officials at Fairfield Park on January 10, 2021.
