October 16, 2024- Outbreak Update for Maple & Birch plus Enhanced Surveillance for Oak

In collaboration with Public Health, The Maple and Birch Home Areas are experiencing a respiratory outbreak. We currently have nine (9) active residents isolated with symptoms such as cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, and/or hoarse voice and one (1) resolved case. We received results from testing that was sent to Public Health, both COVID-19 and Rhinovirus have been detected as causative agents for the outbreaks.

We remain on enhanced surveillance in the Oak Home Area. Three (3) residents have been isolated in total with respiratory symptoms, but at this time, we do not meet the definition of an outbreak in this home area, according to Public Health.

Family members of those residents affected have been notified.

The following infection control measures are to be implemented:

Surgical Masks to be worn in the Maple, Birch, and Oak 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 Maple, Birch, and Oak Home Area
Immediate isolation of any residents with new symptom onset
Cohorting of staff, when possible.
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
Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits in the home area with coaching
Limit of two (2) essential caregivers at a time in Maple & Birch Home Areas only
No General Visitors to Maple & Birch Home Areas
No impact to Visiting in Oak Home Area

Please ensure that you are following the IPAC practices listed above as they are in place to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

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

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Registered Nurse or Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead at stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca