For the past two weeks, the Durham Health Department has been monitoring increasing cases of Covid-19 in the Highland Towers Apartments (White Oaks apartment complex) in Whitby.
Since May 1, approximately 143 cases have been identified at this apartment complex, which includes 47 new cases confirmed following a Health Department on-site testing event held on May 20 for residents of the four apartment buildings in the area, said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle.
Region of Durham Paramedic Services (RDPS), in collaboration with Durham Region Public Health (DRPH) staff, provided testing through the RDPS mobile unit to help identify any additional cases in the buildings in an effort to minimize the spread of Covid-19. Testing was available for all residents two-years old and older.
As concerns have been identified for the potential of disease spread in these buildings, the Health Department will be holding a Covid-19 vaccination clinic for residents of the Highland Towers Apartments (White Oaks apartment complex) on May 25 – this clinic will be conducted by paramedics through the RDPS mobile unit which will be located in Jeffery Street Park. The clinic is open to all eligible residents 12 years and older who live in the four area apartment buildings. Residents will be notified and encouraged to attend to receive a first dose if they have not yet done so.
Throughout the pandemic, Health Department staff has continued to monitor various area workplaces, congregate living settings and multi-unit living dwellings to help identify any potential cases of Covid-19, in an effort to contain and reduce the spread both within these settings and throughout the broader community. DRPH, working with RDPS, will continue to offer on-site services to these settings as identified and needed, and provide area residents with the support necessary to help ensure safe living and workplace environments. As vaccines continue to roll out to the broader community, we continue to remind all Durham Region residents to follow all public health guidance – limit non-essential trips outside your home, wear a face covering, practice physical distancing and adhere to local and provincial restrictions, and continue to do so even after you have been vaccinated.