MEMO

Date: October 4, 2021

To: Terrace West Residents

Re: The COVID Outbreak is over – now what?

We are thankful that the COVID outbreak in Terrace West has been declared OVER!

Lunch is served in the dining room starting today, Monday, October 4, 2021
Visitors may come to your apartment. It’s best if they are wearing a mask the entire time that they are in your apartment. Unvaccinated visitors MUSTwear a mask for the entire duration of your visit. The new public health orders issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry for the East Fraser Valley only allow up to five people to visit in a home. All 5 must be from the same household.
No unvaccinated service providers are allowed as per Provincial Health Orders. This includes housekeepers, caregivers, companions, foot care, hearing care, pastors, etc. There are NO exceptions. This is not a Menno Place rule, it is an order from the Provincial Health Officer.

COVID RATES ARE HIGH: As you know the number of COVID cases in our community is increasing. This means that there is a greater likelihood of encountering someone who has COVID. This Delta variant of COVID is very, very contagious – it is among the most contagious virus known – more than twice as contagious as the original coronavirus.

VACCINATION RATES ARE LOW: At this time, the vaccination rate in our community is among the lowest in British Columbia. Why does this matter? It matters because unvaccinated people are much more likely to contract COVID as they do not have the vaccination as a layer of protection. This means that COVID will spread more quickly and to more people if the vaccination rates are lower.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Wear a mask wherever you go. This includes wearing a mask when you are in the car with someone, when you are at an appointment or at church.
Stay 6 feet apart from people. No hugging, shaking hands, sitting close to others. In a car, you are less than 6 feet apart from others – wear your mask even if you are driving with a friend or family member. At church, you need to have 6 feet in front, to the left, right and behind you. If this isn’t possible, you are putting yourself at higher risk.
Take hand sanitizer with you and use it all the time – after you touch a door handle, use the restroom, use a tissue, touch a railing, touch the elevator buttons. Also – when you are near a sink, wash hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Count each second. It’s a lot longer than you think!
Sanitize your hands when you enter the apartment building. This is one way that you can protect your neighbours and the staff who live and work in your building.
Monitor yourself for COVID symptoms – even the mildest symptoms are important to report. Report to Reception (604.851.4004) if you have ANY new or worsening symptoms, including runny nose, sore throat, cough, aches, fever, loss of sense of taste or smell, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting & shortness of breath.
Visit only with only one or two people who are taking all precautions. This is either your friends at the apartments OR your family meeting with you in person.

ABOUT THE COVID OUTBREAK IN TERRACE WEST

The Medical Health Officer (MHO) ordered the index case and all those who were in contact with the index case to isolate and be swab tested for COVID. We are grateful that none of those in contact contracted COVID. The rest of the people in the apartments were screened twice per day (questions about COVID symptoms) and swabbed for COVID if there were any symptoms, no matter how mild. We are grateful that these additional tests also returned as negative for COVID.

ABOUT THE COVID OUTBREAK IN TERRACE EAST

In Terrace East, more people were exposed to the index case and 9 residents tested positive for COVID. Three of these have passed away from COVID and 2 are in hospital. We are very sorry to have lost these friends and neighbours. Please pray for those who are in hospital battling this disease. We are reminded that, even vaccinated, you can contract COVID. This reminds us that the elderly are at greater risk of COVID requiring hospitalization, oxygen, ventilation or death.

WHAT ABOUT THE BOOSTER SHOT?

We are pleased that Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that elderly seniors living in care homes or on a campus of care will be receiving a 3^rd vaccine shot (a booster) within the next several weeks.

Why do you need a booster shot? To re-boost the effectiveness of the COVID vaccine. As you were some of the first people in BC to get vaccinated, you will be the first to receive a booster shot. This is very good news! We don’t have a date, yet, for when that will happen.

If you have any questions, please call Leonard Klassen, Life Enrichment Coordinator: 604.851.4006

Don’t forget to watch the MENNO FORUM on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11am on Channel 10 to get updates!