5 Armed Forces members contract coronavirus while assisting in long-term care homes

By News staff and The Canadian Press

Five members of the Canadian Armed Forces have tested positive for the coronavirus while assisting at long-term care homes in Ontario and Quebec.

A statement from the military on Friday said one member serving at a care home in Ontario has become ill, and four in facilities in Quebec.

The two provinces had asked for the military’s help as outbreaks overwhelmed staff at the facilities.

Each member serving as a part of what is known as Operation Laser received specialized training, and personal protective equipment.

The Armed Forces have dedicated 1,400 personnel to 25 long-term care facilities in Quebec, and 275 members at five facilities in Ontario.

Quebec in particular has seen severe COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, including one in the Montreal area where residents had been nearly abandoned by the staff.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government is considering paying those military members extra, as it would on hazardous deployments abroad.

The Canadian Forces is promising reports on the illness in those deployed to nursing homes every two weeks.

 

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