1st case of COVID-19 variant in region linked to long-term care home outbreak

Region of Waterloo Public Health saythe first reported case of the COVID-19 variant first discovered inthe United Kingdom is connected to an outbreak at Columbia Forest Long Term Care Home in Waterloo.

The outbreak was declared in late December and the positive case was identified in early January.

Public health said the positive case hasclose contact with an individual who travelled internationally, adding that a genomic sequencing test is being completed for the individual.

The home said in a statement on Saturday that the case was in a staff member who has since recovered from the disease.

"This was discovered as part of random sampling intended to detect cases of the variant that may be circulating in the community. We are working very closely with Public Health officials and are following strict pandemic outbreak protocols and infection control practices," the statement said.

There have been 13 cases in staff and three in residents since the outbreak was first declared at the home.

The home said it has enhanced cleaning and staff are screening at the beginning and end of their shifts.

Public health officials said there is no increased risk to the community or long-term care facility in connection to this individual.

"We do expect further cases will be identified as more variant testing is completed by Public Health Ontario," public health said in a release on Saturday.