Birch Outbreak and Maple Enhanced Surveillance Update August 12, 2024

Birch Home Area remains in a COVID Outbreak with 2 confirmed cases of COVID, and 2 other residents with respiratory symptoms who tested negative for COVID. All 4 residents are now on Day 5 and are able to come out of their room as long as symptoms continue to improve and with masking in place for a further 5 days. Family members of those residents affected have been notified.

The following infection control measures are to be implemented or continued at this time:

Surgical Masks or N95 Masks in Birch Home Area (N95 Masks must be worn in the COVID-affected resident rooms) * N95 masks are highly recommended

Limit of two (2) essential caregivers at a time in the Birch Home Area only

No General Visiting to the Birch Home Area

Ensure the Public Health 4 moments of Hand Hygiene are followed

Resident's Hand Hygiene before all meals and regularly throughout the day

Ensure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used properly- including donning before entering and removing before exiting the isolated resident’s room

Residents are to remain in the affected home area at this time to reduce the risk of spread

*If residents insist on leaving the home area, please assist them with masking or a visor and encourage outdoor visiting.

Twice daily respiratory symptom screening in Birch Home Area

Immediate isolation of any residents with new symptom onset

Cohorting of residents and only small group activities in the home area for unaffected residents. Isolated residents to receive one-to-one activities.

Twice daily high-touch surface cleaning- changing disinfecting product to 1-minute contact time

Masks are optional on the home area, but recommended. Personal Protective equipment must be worn in the isolated resident's room.

We will continue to provide updates as we move through the outbreak,

If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Carriere, ADOC at ext. 4842 or Kim Sander, DOC at ext. 4861