By: Mike Anderson

Four residents at Cedarvale Lodge have now tested positive for COVID-19, according to York Region Public Health.

This follows the first report of two positive cases on Nov 9.

The infections have occurred in the home’s retirement community, specifically independent living, and not in long-term care.

“We can confirm four resident cases of confirmed COVID-19 at Cedarvale Lodge Retirement Community. There is one resident currently in hospital. All residents and staff have been tested and we are working closely with Public Health on contract tracing and following their direction to prevent further spread of the virus,” said Nadia Daniella-Colarosi, manager of media relations for Sienna Senior Living, the home’s owner, in an email to The Post.

Cedarvale Lodge Retirement and Care Community, located at 121 Morton Avenue in Keswick, is a 125-bed, for-profit, retirement and long-term care facility.

This the second outbreak at the home this fall; one staff member in long-term care tested positive on October 8. At that time, there was no spread of the virus and public health declared the outbreak over on Oct 26.

According to Ms. Daniell-Colarossi, the home has taken significant actions to stop the spread of the virus, these include:

  • Full contact and droplet precautions throughout the building
  • Residents must remain in their rooms until Public Health declares the outbreak at Cedarvale over
  • Residents will receive their meals in their suites
  • Residents may only leave Cedarvale for essential medical appointments
  • Group programming has been suspended until further notice
  • Only essential caregivers are permitted in the residence
  • Team members will be cohorted so they provide care to a specific group of residents at Cedarvale Lodge Retirement Community only

“As we continue to monitor the situation closely, our highest priority is the health and safety of our residents and team members at Cedarvale Lodge,” she said.

She added that the Sienna Senior Living has “taken a number of critical steps to improve our operations and ensure our residents and team members are as safe and healthy as possible” in preparation for a second wave.

These actions, according to Ms. Danielle-Colarossi, include increasing its personal protective equipment (PPE) supply, reinforcing infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices, and strengthening communications with residents and families.

During an outbreak, York Region Public Health provides “education and guidance to the facility to help manage the outbreak and mitigate the spread of infection.”

According to Patrick Casey, a spokesperson for public health, this includes case and contact tracing, providing IPAC and PPE training, as well as outbreak management support

Mike Anderson
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