Minister seeks answers on care home deaths

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This article was published 08/11/2020 (1546 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen has launched an investigation into the novel coronavirus outbreaks at Maples Personal Care Home and Parkview Place amid rising fatalities at the facilities.

Friesen announced the probe during an atypical Sunday press conference, which was held the day after news broke that eight more residents at Maples care home had died in the span of 48 hours.

The for-profit nursing home, run by the Ontario-based company Revera, is currently battling an outbreak of COVID-19, with more than 120 residents and 50 staff infected, and at least 22 deaths.

“More clearly needs to be done. I can tell everyone that behind the scenes there are a lot of people undertaking to understand more about what occurred at Maples,” Friesen said.

It remains unclear when the probe will be completed, but the health minister promised the process will move rapidly.

“Manitobans need answers,” Friesen said.

Friesen announced the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority would have additional supervision of Revera facilities moving forward. The health system will also create a rapid-response team — staffed 24 hours per day — to deploy to sites of outbreaks as needed.

The Winnipeg Police Service has confirmed it launched a “preliminary assessment” of the situation at Maples due to concerns over the recent rash of deaths.

Members of the WPS forensic identification unit could be seen at the facility Saturday night.

More to come.