The Department of National Defence says 28 Canadian service members have tested positive for COVID-19 after serving in long-term care facilities.
They include: 12 in Ontario and 16 in Quebec, which is a dramatic increase in the number of military pandemic cases.
Less than a week ago, the Department of National Defence (DND) was reporting only five cases of COVID-19 among its members.
Officials say when a military member taking part in the mission reports an illness, they’re removed from duty and given medical attention, including isolation and quarantine when required.
Late yesterday, defence officials attributed the spike in cases to several factors, including the fact that formal confirmation of a number of test results had not come back at the time of the last update.
Nearly 1,700 members of the Forces are working in 30 long-term care homes where regular staff have been overwhelmed by COVID-19, providing medical assistance but also serving in support roles such as cleaning, serving food and assisting with residents’ basic needs.
For an update on #CAF response to #COVID19, and on #COVID-19 cases of CAF member working in #LTCF in Quebec & Ontario, please visit: https://t.co/FXFI6vU5Lx
— Canadian Armed Forces (@CanadianForces) May 21, 2020