CORNWALL, Ontario – A COVID-19 outbreak at Riverview Manor has lead to the closure of a City of Cornwall bus stop.
Riverview Manor, which is located on the corner of Montreal Rd. and Danis Ave. is a community living facility, which reported a COVID-19 outbreak to the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) on Jan. 9.
As of Monday, Jan. 25 there are 16 resident and six staff members who have been infected with COVID-19 and tragically, one resident has died in hospital after contracting the virus in the facility.
Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health with the EOHU stated in his call to the media on Monday that containing the outbreak at Riverview Manor has proven difficult.
“It is a very challenging place because the nature of the individuals there. Some of them have mental health issues so compliance is quite difficult, so that is what we are struggling with,” he said. “Yes, we are trying to keep people there. It is an outbreak. We are trying to not have people go off. It is difficult for us to manage and that’s one of the complications in addition to having COVID there and having the outbreak precautions because of the difficulties in compliance due to mental health issues there and the nature of the clients.”
Len Tapp, Division Manager of Cornwall Transit said that he made the decision to close the bus stops in the area of Riverview Manor out of an abundance of caution.
“We are not allowing residents from the facility on our buses at this time out of an abundance of caution. We are concerned about what is going on at the facility,” Tapp said.
The next closest stops to Riverview Manor on Montreal Rd. are at Lefevbre Ave. and Gardner Ave. to the east and Kirkman Crt. to the West.