Swabbing has started in Sault Ste. Marie long term care homes, the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association (OFRA) Mauno Kaihla Koti Long Term Care Home becoming the second to do so beginning Wednesday.
Mauno Kaihla Koti (MKK) Long Term Care Home’s 63 residents and 89 staff underwent nasopharyngeal swabbing for COVID-19 testing.
Nasopharyngeal culture is a test procedure which examines a sample of secretions from the upper throat and behind the nose to detect organisms that can cause disease.
The U.S.-made swabs were used in tests as directed by Algoma Public Health and Ontario’s Ministry of Health.
The tests are now in the ‘pending’ category, awaiting results.
There have been no confirmed or suspected cases at OFRA.
“OFRA is very grateful for the guidance and direction of the Algoma Public Health inspectors throughout this stressful and unprecedented time of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak,” wrote Helina McGrath, Mauno Kaihla Koti Nursing Home care services executive director and registered nurse in a statement received by SooToday.
“We will get through this together with our awesome staff and the experts from Algoma Public Health, Public Health Ontario and Ministry of Health,” McGrath wrote.
As reported earlier, the Ministry of Long-Term Care is reporting 159 current outbreaks in long-term care homes across Ontario, including 2,632 residents and 1,361 staff infected. The ministry states there have been 775 deaths of long-term care residents as a result of the virus. Ontario Public Health is reporting 521 deaths among long-term care residents, but their numbers typically lag behind the ministry’s. There are now 34 long-term care outbreaks resolved.
