Providence Manor resident tests positive for COVID-19
Providence Care has confirmed that a Providence Manor resident was the most recent positive case of COVID-19 in the Kingston area. Following consultation with KFL&A Public Health, and as per a Ministry of Long-Term Care directive, the facility has declared an outbreak at its Sydenham 4 unit.
In late March, a total of four Providence Care staff members tested positive for COVID-19, and an outbreak was declared at Providence Manor. The declaration was lifted on April 15. At that time, no residents had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
“Our entire organization is devastated to learn a Providence Manor resident tested positive for COVID-19,” said Cathy Szabo, Providence Care President & CEO in a press release. “Our Infection Prevention and Control, and Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness teams have been working alongside KFL&A Public Health to make sure we have every safety precaution possible in place to help limit the spread of the virus. Our number one priority is protecting the people we serve and our staff.”
“Pre-emptive infection prevention and control measures in long- term care and retirement homes has been our priority from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “We are working closely with our partners at Providence Care to support them in taking immediate precautions to ensure all residents are being safely and appropriately cared for and residents, staff and the community are well protected.”
The resident was placed in isolation on Friday, Apr. 17 and Providence Care received the positive COVID-19 test results on Apr. 20.
Providence Care says that an investigation is currently underway to determine how the resident contracted the virus. Providence Care is contacting any staff or residents that came in close contact with the confirmed case, and they are being monitored for signs and symptoms over the next 14 days.
Providence Care says it has also reached out to all residents at the long-term care home and their family members to inform them about the positive case.
As per a Ministry of Long-Term Care directive, all staff and residents on Sydenham 4 are being tested for COVID-19, according to Providence Care.
“I know this is a scary time for family members with loved ones at Providence Manor, but please know our teams care deeply about our residents and we promise to do everything we can to keep them and our staff safe. This is a team effort, from front line staff ensuring they wear the appropriate personal protective equipment to Environmental Services diligently scrubbing all areas of the home, we’re all in this together. Even during these uncertain times, our commitment to enhancing the quality of life of the people we serve is as strong as ever,” said Szabo.
Providence Care says there are 37 residents who reside on Sydenham 4. The resident who tested positive for COVID-19 has a private room on the floor, and according to the facility, no other residents are showing signs or symptoms of the virus at this time.
To help limit the spread of infection, Providence Manor says enhanced housekeeping measures, including extra cleaning of all high touch surfaces and common areas on Sydenham 4, are in place. In addition, all Providence Manor staff must wear a mask for the duration of their shifts, and all staff on Sydenham 4 must wear eye protection in addition to a mask at all times while on the resident home area. For areas with contact/droplet precautions in place, staff must don appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. gown, gloves, procedure mask with visor).
All Providence Manor staff is screened twice a day, at the beginning and end of shifts, as well as all reentries. Screening includes taking temperatures twice a day.
Providence Manor is currently closed to admissions, with only essential visitors (those with a loved one who is end-of-life) being permitted to enter Providence Manor. Essential visitors are also actively screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, are given masks to wear and are only permitted to visit their loved one’s room.