“We’re at the point where people are anxious and want to get outside,” said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, chief medical officer for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU). “Just be a bit more patient.”

Dr. Roumeliotis noted, during his regular media teleconferences on the COVID-19 situation in Eastern Ontario, that the overall number of COVID-19 cases resulting from “community transmission” has remained stable for the most part. The last couple of jumps in the total number of cases is the result of recent outbreaks in long-term facilities within the Five Counties area.

As of May 4 the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases for the EOHU’s jurisdiction is 103, and that figure includes 23 cases resulting from outbreaks in three group care facilities, along with two fatalities. The CV19 status summary on the EOHU website noted 54 cases resolved, which means that more than half of the individuals who were infected have recovered.

The EOHU website noted that the Pinecrest Nursing Home in Plantagenet and the Woodland Villa long-term care facility west of Cornwall have confirmed outbreaks. The first confirmed deaths due to COVID-19 have occurred in Plantagenet. Another outbreak was recorded for Milieux de vie à l’Érablière, a Valoris group home in Plantagenet but is now classed as resolved.