October 16, 2021 – TERRACE WEST (IL) OUTBREAK – COVID positive = 3

COVID UPDATE – October 16, 2021 – Terrace West Called on Outbreak

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 3 (3 residents TW | 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID CASE = October 13

One is in hospital. Please pray for his recovery.

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This morning, the mobile COVID testing team from Fraser Health came to swab the residents who were identified by Public Health as requiring swabbing (see memo below). Leonard Klassen, Sharon Simpson and Trish Giesbrecht provided the support to bring residents to the bistro for the COVID swab. The team was very efficient and had the swabs completed by 10am! Results will be given to the residents by Public Health. Families, please report these results to Leonard Klassen – 604.851.4006 or to Reception: 604.851.4004. If you have your loved one’s date of birth and personal health number, you can check results by going to this link: https://results.bccdc.ca/

It was very meaningful to us to hear the resident’s express their gratitude for the onsite swabbing and the care for their safety that we are providing for them by following the Provincial Health Orders. There were many good conversations and plenty of laughs as we navigated the morning. Staff who worked in Terrace West are getting swabbed at the community site.

We now have a Fraser Health staff member who is working each day from 10am – 6pm who will be delivering the morning snack, the lunch and will be doing the wellness check each day. The wellness check is asking each resident if they have any symptoms on the COVID symptom list.

We will likely have another point-prevalence testing in 7 days. Please note that there is now a gargle option available for residents. They cannot have any food or drink for 60 minutes prior to the test. We will add this to a memo to the residents in the coming week.

The memo, below, outlines the expectations of visitors and essential visitors as we move forward in this outbreak. If you are concerned about your loved one, please phone Trish Giesbrecht, 604.851.4020. She will discuss essential visitor designation with you. Cheryl Dawes is on vacation for another week. Please pray for her as she recuperates from her daily work during both the TE and TW outbreaks.

Thank you for the calls and letters of support. We are grateful for your encouragement and grateful to be of service.
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This memo was handed out to the residents yesterday at the end of the day.
 
MEMO
Date: October 15, 2021
To: Terrace West (IL) Residents re: Terrace West on Outbreak
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We are sorry to inform you that there are three Terrace West residents 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 a COVID positive resident have already been placed on isolation and are being tested for COVID. They must continue to isolate (no leaving the apartment suite) and wait for direction from the Public Health Officer. They have a cart outside their apartment door and anyone entering must wear full personal protective equipment.

Residents on 2nd and 4th floors – All residents on these floors will be tested for COVID on Saturday, October 16th. We will notify you when it is your turn to come down to the Bistro for your COVID swab. These residents are not on isolation at this time.

Additional residents to receive COVID testing – In addition, residents who were in proximity to a COVID positive resident will be tested for COVID. You will be notified by Menno Place if you are to be tested. These residents are not on isolation at this time.

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 wellness check, twice a day asking 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 Trish Giesbrecht, Nurse Manager to explain the situation – 604.851.4020. Loved ones can enter the foyer to drop-off essential items such as groceries to you.

Essential 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. No unvaccinated service providers permitted.

Can residents who are not isolated go out? Yes. You may leave the apartment building. This includes walks around the Menno Place campus or going out with a loved one. It also includes medical appointments. We are advising you not to go to public places or where groups gather. This includes avoiding grocery stores, the shopping mall and church services. This virus is very contagious and the elderly are the most vulnerable to it. Use all your layers of protection: mask, hand washing, 6 feet distance.