Archive for category: Apartments

COVID UPDATE – September 28, 2021 – Terrace East Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 9 (9 residents TE / 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID POSTIVE: September 27, 2021

PASSED AWAY TODAY: 0 (T=1 resident TE)

Today, the residents and the staff were again tested for COVID. This PPT (point-prevalence test)is necessary to monitor this very unpredictable virus. The results of the PPT will be provided to Menno Place through Public Health.

There are no changes to the orders for TE residents. No social visitors. All residents remain on isolation.

If you are concerned about your loved one and wish to discuss the specifics, please call Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment to express your concerns and determine if there is anything that can be done for your loved one specifically.

COVID UPDATE – September 27, 2021 – Terrace East Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 9 (9 residents TE / 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID POSTIVE: September 27, 2021

PASSED AWAY TODAY: 0 (T=1 resident TE)

We are sorry to report that one more Terrace East resident has tested positive for COVID. This news is very unfortunate as it highlights how important the isolation and COVID testing is for the residents. This resident showed symptoms of COVID and was tested in between the point-prevalence testing. This is why it is critical that all COVID symptoms are reported to the care team (or Reception for other apartment buildings) as the COVID virus load may take some time to reveal either symptoms or a COVID positive result.

There are no changes to the orders for TE residents. No social visitors. All residents are on isolation.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 28th will be another round of point-prevalence testing where all residents and staff will be tested for COVID.

• Please pray for the residents who are COVID positive. Three are in hospital and struggling as they battle this disease.
• Please pray for the staff who are getting weary. The lead for Menno Place is Cheryl Dawes, Manager of Community Enrichment who has not had time-off since the first positive case was identified. Please pray for her as she continues to lead the staff and all the infection control protocols.

Every few days, Cheryl’s team conducts 3 types of audits, the results of which are submitted to Fraser Health:

• Hand hygiene audit – in this audit, the practices of hand hygiene are observed without the knowledge of the staff member. Education for the staff member is provided if required.
• PPE audit – in this audit, the practices of donning and doffing personal protective equipment are observed. Education for the staff member is provided if required.
• Environmental audit – in this audit, the auditor places ultraviolet gel or spray on surfaces that should be cleaned in the enhanced cleaning routines. Several days later, the auditor returns with an ultraviolet light and identifies if all the gel/spray has been removed in the course of the cleaning routine.

Fraser Health provides an Educator to help teach and remind staff of these important practices – hand hygiene, ppe usage and enhanced cleaning. We are so pleased with our staff who consistently score above 90% (mostly 100%) in these audits.

Fraser Health also provides mental health support for the staff who are under immense stress and are first-hand observers to the impact of COVID on the individuals whom they love and serve.

• Please pray for our staff who are supporting the COVID positive residents, knowing that they are exposing themselves to this virus as they provide this support. Pray for them as they grieve the loss of one of the TE residents and understand the gravity of the illness for the three in hospital. Relationships between staff and residents are very strong and meaningful. This is difficult.

As always, we think of the residents who are in isolation in their apartment suites.

• Please pray for these residents as they find ways to manage the minutes and the hours in isolation. If your loved one is struggling, please call Cheryl Dawes to let her know what is transpiring for them: 604.851.4020

COVID UPDATE – September 24, 2021 – Terrace West Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (1 residents TW | 0 staff)

There are no new cases of COVID to report today in Terrace West. All of the residents who were put on isolation by Public Health due to contact tracing have been swabbed and all tests have returned negative. These residents remain on isolation and await further instruction from the Medical Health Officer as they have been directly exposed to a COVID positive individual.

Here is the memo that will be delivered to Terrace West residents today. It will answer many of the questions that you may have about how you can support your loved one living in Terrace West.

MEMO
Date:             September 24, 2021
To:                  Terrace West (IL) Residents re: Terrace West on Outbreak
______________________________________________________________

We are sorry to inform you that a resident of Terrace West was diagnosed with COVID-19. The Terrace West apartment building has been declared on Outbreak. This means that there are specific enhanced infection control protocols that need to be followed to ensure that COVID does not spread further.

What does it mean for those on isolation? All residents who were in contact with the COVID positive resident have already been placed on isolation have all tested negative for COVID. They must continue to isolate and wait for direction from the Medical Health Officer. They have a cart outside their apartment door and anyone entering must wear full personal protective equipment.

What about those who are not on isolation? If you are not on isolation, you are asked to follow all enhanced infection control protocols wearing a mask when you are with anyone else, practicing hand hygiene, staying in your suite as much as possible and staying 6 feet apart from others. Don’t visit in each other’s apartment suites. This also means answering a Fraser Health nurse who will ask you twice a day if you have any COVID symptoms. Your noon meal will be delivered to your apartment suite.

What about visitors? Only essential visitors may enter this apartment building or your suite. The Medical Health Officer has to approve anyone to be an essential visitor. The process for application and approval is to phone Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment to explain your situation – 604.851.4020. Anyone who doesn’t live with you is considered a visitor including housekeepers, family, friend. Loved ones can enter the foyer to drop-off essential items such as groceries to you.

Home Support Services: If you receive home support services to assist you with activities of daily living (getting ready in the morning or night, showering, medicine) from Fraser Health, carry on as usual. If another organization provides you services, please notify Reception (604.851.4004) to ensure they are permitted entry as an essential service.

Can residents who are not isolated go out? Yes. You may leave the apartment building. This includes walks or going out with a loved one. It also includes medical appointments. This is a time to be cautious about going where there are large groups (stores, restaurants or church). This virus is very contagious and the elderly are still the most vulnerable to it. Use all your layers of protection: mask, hand washing, 6 feet distance.

September 23, 2021

Dear Staff of Menno Terrace West – IL,

We are writing to notify you that an individual at Menno Terrace West – IL was diagnosed with COVID-19. The COVID-19 Prevention team in Fraser Health is working with the facility to identify anyone who may have been exposed and to take steps to protect the health of all residents and staff.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. It can spread through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, or by touching the virus with your hands then touching your face before washing your hands. Symptoms of COVID-19 may be mild or severe. These may include low grade fever, cough, sneezing, and/or sore throat. More severe symptoms could include fever, difficulty breathing and/or chest pain. Most people will experience mild illness.

This exposure does not mean you are infected with COVID-19. Given the serious health risks of COVID-19 we have instituted outbreak control measures at the facility. We are asking all staff members at Menno Terrace West – IL self- monitor for symptoms until the outbreak is declared over. If you develop any symptoms, inform your supervisor, stop working, get tested and self-isolate until results are returned as negative and symptoms have resolved (whichever is longer).

Public Health will do a risk assessment, and based on the situation, may recommend that you get tested for COVID-19. Please await direction from Public Health before going for testing if you do not have symptoms. We are taking steps to ensure that it is safe for you to continue to work at Menno Terrace West – IL. Fraser Health will be providing infection control support to the facility throughout this time. Residents are being closely monitored for symptoms and standard infection control measures are effective in protecting staff and residents from infection.
It is critical that you do not work in any other health care settings. The elderly are most at risk of severe outcomes related to COVID-19 and these steps are necessary to protect the health of residents living in other facilities.

Your health, and the health of your families is important. If you have concerns about the safety of your working environment please raise them with your manager, your union representative, or WorkSafeBC.

For general information about COVID-19, call 811, or visit HealthLinkBC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-covid-19.

Sincerely,
Katherine Chan
Public Health Nurse
Fraser Health Public Health
778.368.0123

COVID UPDATE – September 22, 2021 – Terrace East Outbreak / Terrace West Exposure

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 – TERRACE WEST 

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 9 (8 residents TE / 1 resident TW | 0 staff)

PASSED AWAY TODAY: 1 (T=1 resident TE)

We are sorry to report that one resident from Terrace East(TE) has succumbed to COVID-19. Our condolences are with the family who will miss their loved one. In addition, we are sad to report that there is 1 positive COVID resident in Terrace West (TW). We have connected with the Public Health Officer who has ordered that the meals be delivered to residents in Terrace West. Several residents who were identified in contact tracing were tested for COVID. Families have been informed.

Yesterday, all residents and staff  in Terrace East were swabbed in our 2nd point prevalence testing. CLICK HERE to learn more about what Point Prevalence Testing is and why it is used in a health care facility. There are no positive COVID results from the ones that have being reported to us. Not all results are in.

There are several residents who are still in hospital as the disease has progressed. Please pray for these residents that they would feel the presence of God as they are living with the impact of COVID.

We will have more information about visits to Terrace West tomorrow after we speak with Public Health.

If you are supporting a loved one in Terrace West or one of our other apartment buildings, please raise the level of protection for your loved one by using all layers of protection –  hand hygiene, fewer visitors, mask wearing at all times, vaccination. Please ask your own loved ones about any mild symptoms they may be experiencing – CLICK HERE FOR SYMPTOM LIST.