Date: April 20, 2020
Providence Manor resident tests positive for COVID-19
On Apr. 20, 2020, Providence Care received confirmation a Providence Manor resident tested positive for COVID-19.
In consultation with Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health, and as per a Ministry of Long-Term Care directive, an outbreak was declared on Sydenham 4 at Providence Manor.
“Our entire organization is devastated to learn a Providence Manor resident tested positive for COVID-19,” says Cathy Szabo, Providence Care President & CEO. “Our Infection Prevention and Control, and Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness teams have been working alongside KFL&A Public Health to make sure we have every safety precaution possible in place to help limit the spread of the virus. Our number one priority is protecting the people we serve and our staff.”
“Pre-emptive infection prevention and control measures in long- term care and retirement homes has been our priority from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” adds Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “We are working closely with our partners at Providence Care to support them in taking immediate precautions to ensure all residents are being safely and appropriately cared for and residents, staff and the community are well protected.”
The resident was placed in isolation on Friday, Apr. 17. Providence Care received the positive COVID-19 test results on Apr. 20.
An investigation is currently underway to determine how the resident contracted the virus.
Any staff or residents that came in close contact with the confirmed case are being contacted and monitored for signs and symptoms over the next 14 days.
As per a Ministry of Long-Term Care directive, all staff and residents on Sydenham 4 are being tested for COVID-19.
Providence Care has also reached out to all residents at the long-term care home and their family members to inform them about the positive case.
“I know this is a scary time for family members with loved ones at Providence Manor, but please know our teams care deeply about our residents and we promise to do everything we can to keep them and our staff safe. This is a team effort, from front line staff ensuring they wear the appropriate personal protective equipment to Environmental Services diligently scrubbing all areas of the home, we’re all in this together. Even during these uncertain times, our commitment to enhancing the quality of life of the people we serve is as strong as ever,” says Szabo.
There are 37 residents who reside on Sydenham 4. The resident who tested positive for COVID-19 has a private room on the floor. At this time no other residents are showing signs or symptoms of the virus.
To help limit the spread of infection at Providence Manor, the following measures are in place:
- KFL&A Public Health, Infection Prevention and Control and Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness are investigating and following up with individuals who had close contact with the confirmed case.
- Any staff or residents that came in close contact with the confirmed case are being contacted and monitored for signs and symptoms over the next 14 days.
- Enhanced housekeeping measures including extra cleaning of all high touch surfaces and common areas on Sydenham 4 are in place.
- As per a Ministry of Long-Term Care directive, all residents and staff on Sydenham 4 are being tested for COVID-19.
- Out of an abundance of caution, all residents and staff on Montreal 4 are also being tested for COVID-19, as the Resident Home Area is on the same floor as Sydenham 4.
- Providence Care will be monitoring all Providence Manor staff and residents for signs and symptoms over the next 14 days.
- All Providence Manor staff must wear a mask for the duration of their shifts.
- All staff on Sydenham 4 must wear eye protection in addition to a mask at all times while on the resident home area.
- For areas with contact/droplet precautions in place, staff must don appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. gown, gloves, procedure mask with visor).
- As per Ministry of Long-Term Care directives, all Providence Manor staff is screened twice a day, at the beginning and end of shifts, as well as all reentries. Screening includes taking temperatures twice a day.
- Providence Manor is currently closed to admissions.
- Only essential visitors (those with a loved one who is end-of-life) are permitted to enter Providence Manor. Essential visitors are also actively screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, are given masks to wear and are only permitted to visit their loved one’s room.
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About Providence Care:
Providence Care is Southeastern Ontario’s leading provider of specialized care in aging, mental health and rehabilitation. The organization operates Providence Care Hospital, a long-term care home (Providence Manor) and several community-based rehabilitation and mental health services across the region. To find out more about Providence Care, visit ProvidenceCare.ca or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more information, contact:
Nikki Jhutti
Communications Officer
Phone: 613-544-4900 ext. 53372
Email: jhuttin@providencecare.ca or info@providencecare.ca
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