4 COVID-related deaths reported at Saskatoon’s Luther Care Home

A care home in Saskatoon is reporting four COVID-related deaths since an outbreak was declared last month.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority declared an outbreak at the Luther Special Care Home in the Varsity View area on Nov. 17.

“Families were provided end-of-life visitation opportunities and our sincere condolences go out to them,” an update on Luther Special Care Home’s website read.

Since then, 44 residents and 14 staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The care home said not all cases from staff were contracted at work.

Efforts are increasing to contain the spread to one area of the home.

“Management and staff of Luther Special Care Home continue to work diligently to contain the virus to one unit of the home through extensive infection control protocols,” the update read.

“Although staffing remains a challenge, we continue to work with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, other long-term care homes and Home Care to support the care of the residents in the home.”

No other details about other deaths at the company’s care homes were provided.

On Tuesday, four COVID-19 deaths were reported by the province, including three people in the Saskatoon region.

Luther Special Care Home said it is one of the nine care homes across Saskatchewan selected to receive one of the rapid testing units. The device provided by Abbott Panbio Point of Care can provide COVID-19 testing results in 15 minutes.