Providence Care declares COVID-19 outbreak at Providence Manor

An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at Province Manor on Tuesday, Apr. 26, 2022, after three residents became symptomatic and tested positive for the virus.

Sydenham 4, a resident home area at Providence Manor, is now under quarantine and all 32 residents have been placed on contact and aerosol precautions, according to a release from Providence Care.

The outbreak on Montreal 4 remains in place at this time, according to the release. That outbreak was declared on Friday, Apr. 1, 2022.

The current outbreak will be in place for a minimum of 10 days, during which time Sydenham 4 residents will be closely monitored and re-tested for COVID-19 on a set schedule, Providence Care said. All staff who worked on Sydenham 4 during the last week will also be tested for the virus.

Providence Care has alerted Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health about the positive cases and is working closely with teams there, according to the release. An investigation is also underway to determine how the residents contracted the virus.

According to the release, 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 said they are not able to share any identifiable or additional information about the positive cases.

In the release Providence Care shared the following safety measures, which have been implemented to help limit the spread of infection:

• Sydenham 4 is closed to admissions.
• General visitors are temporarily prohibited on Sydenham 4. Residents or their substitute decision makers must identify one designated care partner or essential caregiver who is permitted to visit for the duration of the outbreak. Two essential visitors (those with a loved one who is critically ill or nearing end-of-life) may visit at this time.
• Registered visitors must conduct a rapid antigen test, get a negative test result before they enter the home and wear appropriate personal protective equipment for the duration of their visit.
• Staff with ongoing exposure to Sydenham 4 must perform daily rapid antigen tests for the duration of the outbreak.
• Continue actively screening staff for COVID-19 symptoms. Staff must also wear appropriate personal protective equipment, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene.
• Care teams are closely monitoring all Providence Manor residents to identify potential cases early.
• Enhanced housekeeping measures are in place including extra cleaning of all high touch surfaces and common areas.
• All general, essential caregivers and designated care partners, regardless of vaccination status, must participate in mandatory on-site COVID-19 surveillance testing as per a Ministry of Long-Term Care directive.

Even with the province easing public health measures, COVID-19 protective measures remain in place at all Providence Care sites. According to the release, the organization will continue to review safety measures on an ongoing basis to ensure the staff and the people they serve stay protected.

Current safety measures include:

• Reducing visitors
• Passing screening
• Wearing a mask
• Providing proof of vaccination (exceptions apply)

Please visit providencecare.ca for up-to-date information about COVID-19 protective measures in place at all sites.

Click here for a complete list of Providence Care sites currently under a COVID-19 watch or outbreak.

Providence Care is a healthcare provider in southeastern Ontario, providing specialized care in aging, mental health and rehabilitation. The organization consists of Providence Care Hospital, Providence Transitional Care Centre, Providence Manor long-term care home, and more than 20 community-based support and mental health services across the region.