Villa Minto, a 37-bed nursing home in Cochrane, Ontario, has been placed under a COVID-19 respiratory outbreak declaration as of February 2026. The move comes after health officials identified the virus within the facility, which is located inside the Lady Minto Hospital.
According to the MICs Group of Health Services, several new safety rules are now in effect for all visitors, staff, and volunteers. Everyone entering the home is required to wear a mask at all times while inside the building.
To help stop the virus from spreading further, residents are currently allowed only one designated visitor at a time. The Northeastern Public Health unit worked with the hospital to put these restrictions in place to protect those receiving 24-hour care at Villa Minto.
Officials are asking anyone who feels sick or has symptoms like a cough or fever to avoid visiting the facility until they are healthy. These temporary measures will remain until health authorities determine the outbreak is over and it is safe to return to normal visiting routines.
