The Pines Resident & Family Portal

In collaboration with Public Health, Spruce Home Area has declared a Respiratory Outbreak as of this morning.

We currently have three (3) symptomatic residents with an unknown pathogen.

Cedar Home Area remains in Influenza Outbreak at this time.

Essential Caregivers are the only visits able to enter both of these home areas and only two (2) at a time. Family members of those affected residents have been notified. We will continue to keep you updated as we work through this most recent outbreak.

Thank you to everyone that volunteered to help and to all the staff and residents for their patience as we worked through the exercise. What a great learning opportunity for our team!

The outbreak in Oak has been declared over at this time.

Unfortunately, we now have an influenza case in Cedar with two other resident with symptoms as well. In collaboration with Public Health, Cedar has now been placed on outbreak as of October 26, 2022. Currently there are three (3) residents with symptoms and once (1) of which is confirmed on the home area and family members of those affected have been updated. We will continue to provide updates as we work through this most recent outbreak.

Thank you to those that were able to attend the meeting. If you would like to review the recording, please click on the link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/LSHQzYx4Awkbuby5cT2L2wh6NI1u8OUcsN8uU7Xrkk0cbpgGCnVuJ3BrOpJkHIM.Evz_k8Wm8g6nGLjQ?startTime=1666219163000

Passcode: Duaeh*8u

The pathogen/virus has been identified for the ill residents on Oak, it is not COVID and therefore this means a 5 day isolation period for residents who are symptomatic, with symptom improvement. The required PPE when on the unit is surgical mask and eye protection. The required PPE for isolated residents is droplet contact precautions including surgical mask, eye protection, gowns and gloves.

Updated October 24, 2022.

In collaboration with Public Health, the home as been placed in Respiratory Outbreak for the Oak Unit. The following is direction from Public Health at this time:

This is a response to a total of ten (10) residents, five (5) residents being added in the last 24 hours being identified with respiratory symptoms that include nasal congestion, slight cough and fever. COVID-19 tests are negative and we are waiting on test results sent to Public Health.

No General Visitors, only Essential Caregivers at a maximum of two (2) at a time for each resident to the Oak home area.

The following enhanced measures have been implemented.

• Symptomatic residents are in isolation on droplet/contact precautions
• Enhanced cleaning of high touch surfaces twice per day on Oak
• Surveillance of residents to identify any changes or development of symptoms
• N95 masks and eye protection in the home area at this time

Please reach out if you have any questions in Melissa Muir-Clark at the home.

The Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) has partnered with the Family Councils of Ontario (FCO) and the Ontario Association of Residents' Councils (OARC) to deliver webinars for residents, family members and caregivers. The sessions will provide an overview of recent updates and give residents, family and caregivers an opportunity to have their questions answered by ministry staff. LTC homes are encouraged to share this information with their resident and family councils and to support participation where possible.

Details of the webinars are below. Please click the links to register.

Webinar for LTC family caregivers and Family Council leaders

• Date: Thursday, October 20, 2022
• Time: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (EST)
• Link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KkzT1Z28SheRvLLIEkkJng

Here is a summary of the changes that will come into effect on Friday October 14, 2022.

Continuing

• Screening & Rapid Testing: We will continue active screener and rapid testing for everyone entering the home, every time.
• Resident Screening: Daily screening including temperature check of residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 continues. When in outbreak screening increases to twice a day.
• Isolation Period: remains 10 days at this time.
• Physical Distancing: Residents, staff and visitors are encouraged to continue to practice physical distancing and urged to avoid situations like crowded places in which COVID-19 may spread more easily.

Changing

• Visitor Masking: Essential Caregivers and General Visitors will be allowed to remove their mask in the residents room when they are alone with the resident. If staff enter the room, the visitor must put their mask back on. Masks are to be worn in all other areas of the building.
• Eating in Resident Rooms: Essential Caregivers and General Visitors will be allowed to remove their mask in the residents room to eat or drink with the resident. They cannot join the resident to eat a meal in the dining room or outside of the dining room. This will only be permitted in the resident’s room when they are alone. Again, their mask would need to be reapplied if staff enter the resident’s room.
• Absences: Residents are able to leave the home for all types of absences, including social day and overnight absences, and not have to be tested or isolated upon their return to the home. Unless they have symptoms of COVID-19 in which they would be tested and isolated if positive.
• Close Contact: If residents come into contact with someone with covid-19: regardless of vaccination status, residents will be monitored, but no longer need to be isolated unless they develop symptoms.
• Admission/Transfers: Testing of asymptomatic residents being admitted or transferred from the community or a facility that is not in outbreak is no longer required.
• Outbreak Definition: The definition of a confirmed outbreak have been updated to two or more residents with COVID-19 with a common link with a 10-day period (no longer includes staff or visitors in the definition).
• Visitor Limit: The provincially set limit of 4 visitors per resident at a time for indoor visits has been lifted. The limit will need to be judged on the space that is available when a resident has visitors to ensure physical distancing is in place.