COVID-19 outbreak declared at Kingston’s Providence Manor

Providence Care, an aging, mental health, and rehabilitation healthcare organization in southeastern Ontario, has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 within Providence Manor, the long-term care home located on Sydenham Street in downtown Kingston.

Specifically, the outbreak is within the Sydenham 3 resident home area of Providence Manor, and was declared on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, after residents of that area tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, Sydenham 3 is under quarantine and “all residents have been placed on contact and aerosol precautions,” Providence Care said in a press release on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.

“The outbreak will be in place for a minimum of 10 days from the last COVID-19 case identified, during which time residents will be closely monitored for symptoms of COVID-19 and tested where indicated,” the press release reads, noting that Providence Care is “working closely” with Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health “regarding the positive cases.”

“Providence Care has also reached out to all residents and their loved ones at the long-term care home to inform them about the outbreak. For confidentiality reasons, Providence Care is not able to share any identifiable or additional information about the cases,” the organization said.

The number of residents who have tested positive for the virus was not disclosed.

According to Providence Care, the Sydenham 3 resident home area has implemented several measures “to help limit the spread of infection.” Those measures include:

• Sydenham 3 is closed to admissions.
• One “Designated Care Partner” or “Essential Caregiver” is permitted to visit at a time for the duration of the outbreak. General visitors are temporarily prohibited on Sydenham 3.
•   Registered visitors must wear appropriate personal protective equipment for the duration of their visit.
• Care teams are closely monitoring all Providence Manor residents to identify potential cases early.
• Care teams have heightened the frequency of surveillance for resident symptoms with a low threshold for testing to identify potential cases early.
• Residents who tested positive may be managed in a designated area to decrease the burden on Sydenham 3.
• Extra cleaning of all high touch surfaces and common areas.

Providence Care indicated the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 protective measures in place at all of its sites, including Providence Manor, is available on the Providence Care website.