COVID UPDATE – April 19, 2021 – Terrace East and Terrace West

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES  = 0 (0 residents / 2 staff)

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 2 (0 residents/ 2 staff)

TOTAL NEW SYMPTOMATIC = 0 (0 residents / 0 staff)

SWABBED FOR COVID – 24  residents and all staff

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There is no update of information today except to say that there are no new symptomatic residents nor staff. Some staff swabs have come back, all are negative.

We have received a number of emails from family members along with phone calls that prompts this next set of Frequently Asked Questions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. My loved one lives in Terrace West and is in need of my help daily with medication administration. How can I help them? Will Menno Place provide them with this help? Answer: You may apply for Essential Visitor status through a conversation with Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment – 604.851.4020. This is a new kind of visitor for those living in Independent Living. All Essential Visitors must be assessed and permitted through Cheryl Dawes. You can read about Essential Visits on the Fraser Health website – CLICK HERE
2. I need to get some important paperwork to my loved one in Terrace West. What do I do? Call Leonard Klassen, Life Enrichment Coordinator – 604-851-4006 to arrange pick-up of the paperwork from you to the resident.
3. Why are residents on isolation when they have been vaccinated? This decision to isolate residents is made by Public Health. They have collected all the information about who was in contact with the initial COVID positive staff member and have evaluated the risk to the residents.
   We know that the chance of a double-dose vaccinated person becoming COVID-19 positive is a 5% chance (efficacy rate of 2 doses of Pfizer-BioNtech is 95%) and that it lessens the symptoms and severity of the disease if you are vaccinated.
   We expect as time passes and the evidence of how the vaccine protects people becomes stronger that there will be more freedom. Until the population is vaccinated to herd immunity (60-70%), it is likely that there will be continued caution.
4. Why aren’t staff getting vaccinated? 94% of our staff are vaccinated. There are medical and personal reasons why a staff member may choose to not get vaccinated. It is important to remember that medical information is confidential. Staff are not required to disclose to Menno Place (employer) whether or not they are vaccinated. We receive the percentage of staff vaccinated from Fraser Health’s records. All healthcare workers are required to state their employer when they get their vaccination.

 

Terrace West is also on COVID exposure isolation.

Terrace East staff – you MUST ONLY enter at the main entrance of Terrace East for in-person screening

You may not work cross-site at Menno Place or at any other healthcare facility during this COVID exposure isolation.

Please speak with your supervisor if you have questions.

You can read all the updates to residents, families and friends by clicking here

 

 

16- April- 2021

Dear Staff of Menno Place Terrace- East,

We are writing to notify you that an individual at Menno Place Terrace- East was diagnosed with COVID-19. The Fraser Health COVID-19 Prevention and Control team 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 enhanced control measures at the facility. We are asking all staff members to self monitor for symptoms. 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).

If you are a Fraser Health employee and had a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) breach while working at the facility, please report the breach to Workplace Health at 1-866-922-9464 option #2.

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 Place Terrace- East. 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 WorkSafe BC.

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

Sincerely,
Jagdip Dhillon
Public Health Nurse
Fraser Health Public Health
604-507-5431

COVID Update – Pavilion 3rd floor isolation lifted tonight – March 7, 2021

• Registered Visitors may resume visits
• Continue to practice hand hygiene, social distancing, wearing masks
• Essential outings only

COVID-19 Update, Feb. 22, 2021 – PAVILION