Home E2 – What happens after the outbreak is declared over?
We continue to anticipate that Home E2 will have the outbreak declared over. When this happens, we will enter a Step-Down process that is a phased approach to return to activities, dining together, movement throughout the unit and safe visits.
This Phased approach continues to prioritize the safety of residents, the strict adherence to infection control protocols and the best practices of other care homes that have come off of outbreak. Phases take place over the 8 weeks following the outbreak being declared over.
We are excited that in the first phase, the unit can come off of droplet precautions!
Dining together and safe visits will be part of the 2nd phase of the Step-Down process.
Home E2 will have a Step-Down process in place that is specific to the needs of that location and in consideration of the nature of this outbreak. Fraser Health and the Medical Health Officer provide direction for us in all of these steps. Staff continue to be cohorted to work in only ONE unit.
We do not expect safe visits to begin for at least 4 more weeks depending on how the Step-Down process moves along.
If there is a COVID-19 positive of staff or resident, Home E2 will return immediately to outbreak.
We will keep you posted as we learn more about this process – and hope that this outbreak will be declared over in the next several days!