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
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.