Date: December 1, 2021
COVID-19 Watch Declared at Providence Transitional Care Centre
Providence Care has declared a COVID-19 watch at its transitional care centre, at 340 Union St., after a patient tested positive for the virus.
A watch is a heightened form of COVID-19 surveillance, which includes testing and monitoring for signs and symptoms. At this time Providence Transitional Care Centre does not meet the criteria for declaring an outbreak.
“This is exactly why we have enhanced safety measures in place at all Providence Care sites,” explained Heather Candon, Infection Prevention and Control Director. “While I can’t go into the specifics of this case because of confidentiality, what I can say is some of our protective measures require patients to get tested for COVID-19 at various times during their care, even if they don’t have symptoms. With community spread growing, we aren’t taking any chances.”
Providence Care has alerted all patients on the unit and loved ones about the positive case. All 30 patients at the centre will be tested for COVID-19 as a precaution. At this time no patients are showing signs or symptoms of the virus. Staff members identified as being in close contact with the positive case will also be tested.
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health has also been informed about the positive case.
“We’re echoing the same message from health units across the region and asking our staff and visitors to please get tested right away if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, and avoid visiting a Providence Care site until you have a negative test result. We can’t stress this enough, if you are sick please stay home,” said Krista Wells Pearce, Providence Care’s COVID-19 Incident Command Leader. “We will continue to implement every protective precaution we can at all sites to ensure the people we serve and our teams stay safe.”
To help limit the spread of infection, the centre has implemented several additional measures including:
- Not allowing general visitors during the watch.
- Contacting, testing and monitoring any staff identified as being in close contact with the confirmed case.
- Actively screening staff for COVID-19 symptoms. They must also wear appropriate personal protective equipment, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene.
- Monitoring all patients to identify potential cases early.
- Extra cleaning of all high touch surfaces and common areas.
The COVID-19 watch declared on Montreal 5, a resident home area at Providence Manor, on Nov. 25 continues. 35 residents were initially tested for the virus on Nov. 25, and all the results came back negative. Staff identified as being in close contact with the positive case was tested, those results were also negative. The Montreal 5 residents will be tested again later this week. Once those results are in, Providence Care’s Infection Prevention and Control teams will determine a timeline for when the watch can be lifted.
Quick Facts
- A COVID-19 watch has been declared at Providence Transitional Care Centre. A watch is a heightened form of COVID-19 surveillance, which includes testing and monitoring for signs and symptoms.
- All 30 patients at the centre will be tested for COVID-19 as a precaution and monitored.
- General visitors are not permitted during the watch.
- Providence Care has alerted all patients and loved ones about the positive case.
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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 consists of Providence Care Hospital, Providence Transitional Care Centre, Providence Manor long-term care home, and more than 20 community based support 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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