Second COVID-19 outbreak declared at Providence Manor in as many days

A second outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at Province Manor on Friday, Apr. 1, 2022, after two residents tested positive for the virus during routine testing.

Montreal 4, a resident home area at Providence Manor, is now under quarantine and all 39 residents have been placed on contact and aerosol precautions, according to a release from Providence Care.

This announcement comes just one day after an outbreak was declared on Montreal 5, where three residents tested positive for COVID-19. That area is also under quarantine.

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

The long-term care home said they are currently closed to admissions and have alerted Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health about the positive cases. 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:

• Providence Manor is closed to admissions.
• General visitors are temporarily prohibited on Montreal 4. Residents or their substitute decision-maker must identify one designated care partner or essential caregiver who is permitted to visit for the duration of the outbreak. Visitors must conduct a rapid antigen test and get a negative test result before they may enter the home, and wear appropriate personal protective equipment for the duration of their visit. Visiting protocols for essential visitors (those with a loved one nearing end-of-life) have not changed. Up to four essential visitors may visit at a time.
• Staff members who worked on Montreal 4 are being tested and monitored for signs and symptoms.
• Staff working on Montreal 4 must perform daily rapid antigen tests for the duration of the outbreak.
• 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.

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.