COVID-19 Update: April 22, 2020

Date: April 22, 2020

Update: Providence Manor resident COVID-19 status

Providence Care received confirmation from Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health a resident on Sydenham 4 at Providence Manor tested positive for COVID-19 on Apr. 20, 2020. As a result an outbreak was declared on Sydenham 4.

According to KFL&A Public Health, the results of the original COVID-19 test were a weak positive. The Providence Manor resident was transferred to hospital and tested two additional times for COVID-19. Both times the results came back negative. When there are conflicting test results, KFL&A Public Health investigates further to determine if COVID-19 is present or not.

“The investigation is ongoing,” says Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “Screening tests for any disease are designed to have a low threshold for a positive result so that all cases of the disease are detected and no cases are missed. The final diagnosis of a disease is a clinical diagnosis that incorporates test results and clinical signs and symptoms. A weak positive result on a screening test requires clinical correlation to make a final diagnosis for any disease.”

“Even with the new test results, our teams aren’t letting up,” adds Cathy Szabo, Providence Care President & CEO. “Outbreak measures are still in place at Providence Manor and we will continue to work with KFL&A Public Health to implement every safety precaution there is to protect our residents and staff.”

All residents on Sydenham 4 have been tested for COVID-19, as well as staff members identified as being in close contact with the resident.

KFL&A Public Health must report any COVID-19 positive cases to Providence Care. To date Providence Care has not been notified of any additional staff or resident at Providence Manor testing positive for the virus.

Outbreak measures at the long-term care home will remain in place until all investigations are complete.

Once the results are available, Providence Care will work with KFL&A Public Health to determine next steps.

“We aren’t taking any chances. Our teams across the organization are working non-stop to ensure all Providence Care sites are safe places to receive care and work. The safety of our residents and staff continues to be our number one priority,” says Szabo.

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 resident.
• Any staff or residents that came in close contact with the resident have been contacted and are being monitored for signs and symptoms over 14 days from the time of exposure.
• Enhanced housekeeping measures including extra cleaning of all high touch surfaces and common areas on Sydenham 4 are in place.
• All residents as well as any staff members identified as being in close contact with the resident on Sydenham 4 have been tested.
• Providence Care will be monitoring all Providence Manor staff and residents for signs and symptoms over 14 days from the time of exposure.
• All Providence Manor staff must wear a mask for the duration of their shifts.
• All Providence Manor staff must wear eye protection in addition to a mask at all times while on resident home areas.
• 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