Politicians and health officials are facing more questions about what’s being done to protect the elderly as COVID-19 outbreaks hit seniors’ homes and long-term care facilities across Canada. Here’s a look at what’s happening in Canada and around the world.
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Politicians and health officials are facing more questions about what’s being done to protect the elderly as COVID-19 outbreaks hit seniors’ homes and long-term care facilities across Canada.
Police and the coroner were at a privately owned Dorval, Que., seniors’ residence over the weekend after 31 residents died since mid-March. The government has said at least five of the deaths are linked to COVID-19.
“We are aware that people are waiting for answers,” said Insp. Andre Durocher of the Montreal Police Service. Police are working as quickly as they can but cannot skip any steps or rush the process, he said.
“We have to be very thorough.”
Health officials in Quebec are now inspecting all private long-term care facilities to see what measures they are taking amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- Get the full story from CBC Montreal, including what Premier François Legault said and a statement from the owner of the Dorval facility
- How to help seniors get through the COVID-19 pandemic
Seniors are at higher risk of a severe illness and death if they contract COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Health officials across the country are on high alert after deadly outbreaks at long-term care homes everywhere from North Vancouver to Bobcaygeon, Ont.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, on Sunday lamented the deaths that COVID-19 has caused in long-term care facilities across the country, which she described in a statement as a “tragic legacy of this pandemic.”
“These heart-breaking events underscored the need for stringent infection prevention and control measures and led to the development of infection prevention and control guidance for long-term care homes.” That guidance includes strict rules around who can enter such facilities and detailed instructions on how to minimize the chances of an outbreak through proper hygiene and screening.
As of 10:35 am. ET on Monday, there were 24,804 recorded coronavirus cases in Canada. The provinces and territories that list recovered cases posted a total of 7,421 resolved cases. A CBC News tally put the number of deaths tied to COVID-19 at 764, with two additional coronavirus-related deaths of Canadians abroad.
Health officials have cautioned that actual case numbers are likely much higher as recorded case numbers don’t capture people who haven’t been tested or cases still under investigation. Read on for a look at what’s happening in Canada, the United States and around the world on Monday.
Here’s what’s happening in the provinces and territories
In British Columbia, families of inmates at the Mission Institution want answers amid an outbreak that has led to at least 35 COVID-19 cases. The medium-security prison has been on lockdown since the start of the month as staff try to deal with the outbreak. Read more about what’s happening in B.C.
Alberta is sending much-needed personal protective equipment to hard-hit provinces, including Ontario, Quebec and B.C. Read more about what’s happening in Alberta.
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Saskatchewan has yet to report a COVID-19 case in long-term care facilities as other provinces struggle to contain growing outbreaks at seniors’ residences. Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical officer, on Saturday urged people to be careful around older people. Read more about what’s happening in Saskatchewan.
In Manitoba, public health officials are reminding people not to let their guard down even as the province recorded no new cases on Sunday. “The current statistics may be a reflection of the effect strict social distancing measures have had and reaffirms that these measures must be continued,” a statement released over the weekend from top health officials said. Read more about what’s happening in Manitoba.
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Ontario, which has more than 7,000 reported cases, is aiming to improve its COVID-19 testing. As the province sees more cases, CBC News went inside a busy Toronto hospital to see how staff there are dealing with the novel coronavirus. Read more about what’s happening in Ontario.
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Quebec, which has 12,846 reported cases, says it will inspect all private long-term care facilities amid growing concern over care for seniors during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more about what’s happening in Quebec, including details on what advocates for the homeless say needs to be done to help those who don’t have a home to stay in.
“Staying home will save lives.” New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, reminded people over the weekend that small increases in case numbers doesn’t mean people should become complacent about COVID-19. Read more about what’s happening in N.B.
Nova Scotia reported 17 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, including four at a seniors’ residence in Halifax. Read more about what’s happening in N.S.
WATCH | Finding a way to help during the pandemic:
From buying groceries for seniors to babysitting for essential workers, people are finding creative ways to help their community members during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2:33
In Prince Edward Island, a college is opening its residences in Charlottetown to health-care workers. Read more about what’s happening on P.E.I.
Newfoundland and Labrador announced one new COVID-19 case on Sunday, bringing the province’s total r