Number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at Rosslyn Retirement Residence climbs to 83

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Rosslyn Retirement Residence climbed to 83 Mondayincluding 63residents.

The homenear Gage Park is a64-bed facility, according to its regulatoryauthority, meaning it appears almost every resident living therehas the virus.

Twenty staff members have also tested positive, according to health officials. Two residents have died.

The outbreak was first declared on May 10 and is currently the most severe in the city.

The Rosslyn was completely emptied of residents over the weekend, as public health, paramedics and hospital staff worked over eight hours to transport at least 52 people who were living there to hospital.

It's the first time a home in the city has been cleared in response to the pandemic, said associate medical officer of healthDr. Ninh Tran.

"It's clearly something very significant and given the situation that was arising it was the right thing to do," he explained.

The doctor said the decision to move the residents was based on acombination of an ongoing struggle to properly staff the home and the rising level of care needed for the people staying there, especially after they'd contracted the virus.

"At some point yesterday the numbers went up to a level that it just made sense to empty out the entire home," said Tran Saturday.

The Rosslyn isthe only facility in Hamilton to be issued two orders from public health calling for better infection controls during the pandemic.