Fraser Health Letter to Staff: Menno Home E1 Covid Exposure
September 1st, 2021
Dear Staff of Menno Home,
We are writing to notify you that an individual at Menno Home 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 Home 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).
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 Home. 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,
Conic Cheung
Case Investigator
Fraser Health Public Health
778.368.0123
