September 6th, 2024

COVID Outbreak at CHSLD Heather

As you know, a COVID outbreak has occurred in our CHSLD as of August 31st, in Unit 1. Unit 3 is also in outbreak as of yesterday.

We ask you to to be very careful and to follow the infection prevention and control measures both in the CHSLD and in the outbreak unit.

Respondents of positive residents have been notified. Our infection prevention and control team works in collaboration with the CHSLD team. Measures have been put in place and are being applied. All of our teams are working together to prevent the spread. Our measures in place are reviewed and adjusted daily to ensure everyone's safety. Our employees have been reminded of the measures to be taken. We continue to rigorously monitor symptoms in residents and staff.

We have dedicated staff to infected residents and are avoiding the movement of staff into different micro-environments.

Affected residents are in reinforced droplet-contact isolation.

In our desire to keep families well informed of developments in the situation in our establishment, here is today's status report:

  • 12 active cases among our residents (+7)
  • 7 suspected cases among our residents (+5)
  • 6 active cases among our employees (+4)
  • 5 suspected cases amoung our employees (+5)

MEASURES TO BE FOLLOWED THROUGHOUT THE CHSLD FOR ALL WORKERS AND ALL VISITORS WITHOUT EXCEPTION

  • Wearing a procedural mask (blue) is mandatory upon entering the CHSLD and when moving around. It must be thrown away upon departure.
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  • A distance of 2 meters must be respected between people.
  • We ask that you continue to complete the visitor register upon your arrival.

As the COVID-19 virus is currently circulating widely in the community, we ask that you avoid coming to the center if you have been in contact with symptomatic or positive people. Please also make sure you have NO symptoms resembling COVID-19, flu or gastro before visiting your loved one.

Hand hygiene must be practiced in all situations: among others upon arrival, before and after a visit to a resident, before and after an activity, before and after eating or drinking, after going to the toilet, at the exit, and after wearing gloves if necessary, to name a few moments. Respiratory etiquette should also be practiced.

Respiratory Etiquette (in French)

Hand hygiene with hydroalcoholic solution (in French)

Hand hygiene with soap and water (in French)

MEASURES TO BE FOLLOWED ON UNIT 1

  • Only one visitor at a time is allowed in these units resident's room.
  • Wearing an N95 mask is mandatory before entering unit 2.
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  • Wearing a procedure mask is mandatory before entering unit 3 large side (Gondola)

Strictly respect basic health instructions in the living environment.

Do not bring any coat, bag or personal item onto the units or into a resident’s room. Please leave your bags in your car and your coat on the hooks located on the wall before entering the unit.

Group activities have been put on hold and recreation is limited. Dining areas in these units are closed. Access to common areas is prohibited for people visiting a loved one in isolation. The latter can only have access to the room.

It remains important to ensure rigorous application of infection prevention and control measures to limit the spread of the virus.

Residents who test positive are isolated in their rooms. Deconditioning prevention activities are in place for them. Leaving the environment is not permitted for the person positive for COVID-19. All group and care activities from outside are suspended. Other measures could be added depending on the situation on the different units.

  • Wearing PPE is mandatory before entering a room of a positive resident: gown, N95 mask, eye protection, gloves
    It is really VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE STEPS of wearing PPE: 
  1. Put on PPE before entering the room by following the steps on the link available below (and which will be displayed in the room).
  2. When leaving the room, remove PPE.
  3. The N95 mask must be removed when exiting the unit.
  4. A procedure mask must be worn to circulate outside the unit.
  5. DO NOT NEGLECT HAND WASHING BETWEEN STEPS!!!!

Please follow the procedure CAREFULLY for putting on and taking off PPE by following the steps in the link below.

STEPS TO PUT ON AND REMOVE PPE - PRECAUTIONS CONTACT REINFORCED DROPLETS (IN FRENCH)

VERY IMPORTANT

If you ever develop symptoms, are positive for COVID or develop flu-like or gastro-like symptoms up to 48 hours after a visit to a CHSLD, please immediately notify the head of the CHSLD unit.

We thank you for respecting the basic infection prevention measures and those in force in the outbreak units.Our residents are at risk and so are our employees. It is together, by respecting the measures, that we can help reduce the risks of spread.

As the situation may change, the measures may also change without notice, so you should ensure you follow those indicated in the center during your visit.

Please note that status updates are only issued when the outbreak status changes.