Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health for Southwestern Public Health, advised yesterday that although case numbers are starting to decline, there are still 11 COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care and retirement homes in the region.
Lock says when an outbreak is declared, multiple organizations work with the homes to develop a plan.
She adds that with the current outbreaks, coronavirus vaccinations have been prioritized for these facilities.
With limited access to vaccines as a result of a supply shortage from Pfizer, Dr. Lock says they are expecting to resume inoculations at some point in February.
To date, 28 of the 49 COVID-19 deaths in the region have occurred in these facilities.
