CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE March 24, 2021
There are no new cases associated with the COVID outbreak at the CHSLD CAP in Shawville, according to an email from a CISSSO spokesperson on March 22.
The regional health authority acknowledged on March 15 that there were “less than five cases” among employees at the long-term care facility, and a week later that number is unchanged. No positive tests among residents have been reported.
Originally, CISSSO media relations agent Patricia Rhéaume told THE EQUITY that the outbreak would be . . .
addressed at a press conference later that day, but when asked, no further information was given. After sending a follow up email requesting a confirmation of the outbreak, Rhéaume finally gave details.
Speaking after the MRC council of mayors meeting on March 17, Pontiac Warden Jane Toller said that she was concerned with the lack of transparency from the regional health authority.
“It’s very interesting, at this press conference that I attended today, they were only talking about their concern about [outbreaks at] The British and [Café Mulligan] in Aylmer/Gatineau, and that they were contacting all the people and wanted anyone that had been there in the last few days to watch for symptoms,” she said. “They didn’t mention anything about MRC Pontiac, I was waiting for that.”
She said that CISSSO representatives stated the reasoning for not detailing the exact number of cases was due to stigmatization in smaller communities, but Toller said the priority should be informing the public with accurate numbers.
“What I’ve noticed in Renfrew County is, they’re very descriptive and they … are very clear where the cases are. It’s at this particular business or it’s at this particular school,” she said. “They give numbers … Why is it that across the river they are giving so much information? I’m really going to encourage the CISSSO, I’m really going to explain to them that the time of stigmatization, I don’t think is as great because we’ve all lived with this now for over a year and I think knowledge is everything. I think we need to know so we can take precautions. “
