The Heritage Life Personal Care Home in Niverville, which has been operating under code red protocols since an outbreak was declared two weeks ago, has announced a number of new cases of COVID-19 on their campus.
The first case came to light on January 4 when Wes Hildebrand, CEO of the personal care home, confirmed that a staff member had tested positive.
Hildebrand now says there are “a few more cases,” all of them residents. In total, there have been 13 cases, of which are 10 are currently active. Two people have recovered, and sadly one resident has passed away.
At first the strategy was to test all residents in the Prairie Rose neighbourhood of the PCH, where the initial exposure occurred. Unfortunately, since that time the outbreak has spread to a second neighbourhood, Lilac Lane.
The PCH’s other neighbourhoods are unaffected at this time.
In recent days, protective protocols have been increased in the facility. All residents are now required to wear masks in the hallways and common areas. Residents who visit with each other inside their own rooms also need to remain masked. N95 masks are being used by staff in all neighbourhoods.
As well, any designated caregivers that do visit are given a mask, goggles, and a gown and are shown how to properly use them. Caregivers are encouraged to visit less frequently.
Hildebrand states that the outbreak has been hard on the residents.
“The residents in the outbreak neighbourhoods need to remain in their room, and so this does create more than an inconvenience,” he says. “For many of them, the freedom even to walk around within the neighbourhood creates some anxiety.”
Non-symptomatic residents of the PCH will be able to receive a vaccination later this week, on Thursday, January 21.
