COVID-19 outbreak declared at Toronto East Detention Centre after employee tests positive for Omicron variant
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Toronto East Detention Centre after five people tested positive for COVID-19, including at least one who is confirmed to have contracted the Omicron variant.
Toronto Public Health declared the outbreak on Thursday afternoon, noting that it was doing so “out of an abundance of caution” because an individual linked to the facility was under investigation by the Durham Regional Health Department with a suspected case of the Omicron variant.
In an update early Friday evening, Toronto Public Health said that it can now confirm that a staff member at the facility does have a case of the Omricron variant following “the receipt of further test results.”
They also said that an additional four inmates have since tested positive for COVID-19, though it is unclear whether those cases also involve the Omicron variant.
“The strain of COVID for these individuals is unknown at this time,” Toronto Public Health said in a series of messages posted to Twitter. “We continue to work with Toronto East Detention Centre and the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General to ensure appropriate measures are taken to minimize the risk to staff and inmates, as well as conduct case and contact management.”
Toronto Public Health said that it began an investigation at the Toronto East Detention Centre on Nov. 26 after being notified about a possible COVID-19 exposure.
It said that the correctional institution then began redirecting new admissions on Nov. 29 as a precaution.
In a statement provided to CP24, the Ministry of the Solicitor General said that it is aware of the outbreak at the facility and will continue to work collaboratively with its partners at Toronto Public Health “to manage the active COVID case linked to the facility and to continue to protect staff and inmates in its custody.”
The ministry also said that it will be testing all inmates and staff at the facility.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.