Local St. Elizabeth Health Care staff members test positive for COVID-19
Update (Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 at 2:45 p.m.)
According to St. Elizabeth Health Care (SE Health), the two staff members that tested positive for COVID-19 are Personal Support Workers (PSWs). The first tested positive on Saturday, Nov. 14, and last worked on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. The second PSW tested positive on Thursday, Nov. 26, and last worked on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. .
“Both immediately went off work in accordance with our company policy on screening and testing,” SE Health said.
Seven additional workers are self-isolating as per Public Health guidelines, the organization said, and that isolation period began on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020.
Original article:
Two home care workers in Kingston have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently isolating, St. Elizabeth Health Care (SE Health) has confirmed as of Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020.
According to SE Health, the two staff members tested positive, and an “additional six to seven” staff members are in self-isolation. According to those with inside knowledge of the situation, the staff members are PSWs, though SE Health did not confirm this, nor did they expand on when the staff members tested positive.
“We are working closely with KFL&A Public Health and following all protocols and advice. KFL&A Public Health has notified all close contacts and continues to investigate the situation,” SE Health said in a statement.
According to SE Health, managerial and administrative staff have been working from home since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. Steps have been taken to ensure clients continue to receive care, the organization said.
“Our local SE Health teams have stepped up to provide coverage through in-person and virtual visits so that clients continue to receive the care they need,” the statement reads.
SE Health is a non-profit organization that provides care for people in their homes. Organization currently provide services to more than 2,000 clients and families within the South East region, according to SE Health.
“The safety and wellbeing of our clients and staff remain our top priority. Infection rates for COVID-19 within the home care sector remain exceptionally low,” SE Health said. “The home continues to be a safe setting for health care delivery during the pandemic.”
Kingstonist has followed up with further questions to SE Health. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
For more information on SE Health’s COVID-19 protocols, click here.