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The outbreak at Belinda's Place Women's Shelter was closed on Dec. 26, and the facility has resumed accepting new female clients referred to it from transitional housing shelters in the community.
"The Salvation Army is working closely with public health to protect the health and safety of residents and staff at Belinda's Place," said Monica Bryce, acting general manager of social services for York Region.
"Since the announced provincewide shutdown, programming and procedures at Belinda's Place have been adjusted according to grey-lockdown zone; this includes closure of Belinda's Place drop-in services and requesting all residents remain on-site at all times."
The outbreak began on Dec. 14 after one of the shelter's staff tested positive for COVID-19. That person was sent home to recuperate, and the facility and its residents were placed on lockdown to prevent any further spread.
There were no additional cases at Belinda's Place.
The infected worker was allowed to return to work on Dec. 29, a decision that sources told NewmarketToday had caused concern among some of the women living at the shelter, who worried that not enough time had been allowed to pass.
According to Bryce, the shelter worker in question had been cleared by York Region Public Health to return to work on Dec. 23.
"The Salvation Army took extra precautions and provided coverage for this individual until Dec. 29, 2020, when the staff member returned to work," said Bryce.
"You can return to work if it has been 10 days since your symptoms first started and you no longer have a fever (37.8C or higher) for 24 hours – without the use of fever-reducing medication, other symptoms are improving unless your employer advises otherwise."
