The deaths of 11 people in Kawartha Lakes have now been attributed to COVID-19.

In a correction to information initially released, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit noted that nine residents of Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon have died, with one other related death.

Of the 33 cases in the municipality, 27 are linked to the outbreak.

“As of today, 24 staff have been confirmed positive for COVID. Test results are pending for 10 staff and six staff have tested negative,” the release reads.

Three residents of Pinecrest tested positive on March 20. The tests came after the Health Unit declared a respiratory outbreak at the facility on March 18 and tests were done on three symptomatic residents.

“In following our provincial outbreak guidelines, we did not do any additional tests on residents as we already had confirmation the virus was in the home,” says Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, medical officer of health for the HKPR District Health Unit.

While no additional residents were tested, 35 others had developed symptoms by March 26.

“This is truly a horrible time for the families and friends of the residents, as well as our staff,” says Mary Carr, administrator of Pinecrest Nursing Home.

“We have a number of medically fragile and vulnerable people living in our home; our residents are like family to our staff. Our sympathies go out to all of the families and friends of the people we have lost.”