HALIFAX – A COVID-19 outbreak at a large facility that houses the intellectually disabled in Nova Scotia has not been disclosed to the public, with the government citing residents’ privacy concerns.
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press indicate that a few days after Christmas, two employees and a resident of the Kings Regional Rehabilitation Center in Waterville contracted COVID-19.
The center, which houses 159 residents, declined to comment, referring the matter to public health.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson said Thursday that unlike what the government is doing for long-term care homes, it is not releasing details about outbreaks at state-funded non-profit homes. .
The Minister invoked the privacy of residents. She adds that the families of those who test positive and people who are “directly affected” by the outbreaks are kept informed.
Leta Jarvis, who has a brother at the Kings Center, says all of the residents’ close relatives, but also the general public should be made aware of these outbreaks, to make everyone aware of the risks facing people in these facilities.
Cyndi Carruthers, director of the disability advocacy group People First Nova Scotia, says groups like hers should be kept informed, so they can better campaign for monitoring and resources for people. living in these settlements.
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