Haven Hill Retirement Centre in Penticton has COVID-19 outbreak declared

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Haven Hill Retirement Centre in Penticton has a new COVID-19 outbreak.

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Haven Hill Retirement Centre in Penticton.

Michele Thomson, vice president of operations for Buron Healthcare which operates Haven Hill, confirmed the situation Thursday.

"We have spent the last few days grappling with the reality that after 18 months of being COVID-19 free at Haven Hill, we now have an outbreak declared," Thomson wrote in an email to the Haven Hill community that was shared with Castanet.

Thomson was unable to confirm to Castanet the number of COVID-19 cases, or whether they are patients or staff, due to privacy concerns.

The outbreak affects the "Upper and Lower Peach" and "Lower Berry" areas of the complex. There will be no visitation permitted for visitors that have family members in those home areas with the exception of visiting someone receiving palliative services.

Thomson said she is proud of the hard work of the team at Haven Hill over the course of the pandemic which has kept the facility COVID-free until this time. She said they continue to be committed to working with Interior Health and being in full compliance with all mandated health protocols.

"The wellbeing of our residents and staff are always of utmost importance," Thomson said.