Two Okotoks senior facilities have reported confirmed COVID cases.
On Dec. 1, employees, residents and their family members at Sandstone Lodge were notified by governing body Westwinds Communities of a probable case of COVID-19 among one of the maintenance workers at the facility, who had begun to feel unwell the evening of Nov. 30. The case was confirmed positive on Dec. 3.
Days later, residents and families were notified of one case in an employee at Tudor Manor, which is run by the Brenda Strafford Foundation, on Dec. 7. An instance of COVID-19 was also reported in a Tudor Manor employee in April, but to-date residents at either faclity have not been affected.
“It is with much compassion, frankness, and transparency that we share what this means for our Sandstone Lodge, and the upgraded outbreak protocols that are now in place,” wrote Westwinds Communities executive director Lauren Ingalls in a letter issued Dec. 3.
Any confirmed case in a senior residence facility is considered as a confirmed outbreak, she said.
The employee had no un-masked contact with any residents and to-date none of the 47 residents or remaining 25 employees at Sandstone Lodge are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Testing for the virus among employees has been arranged, and Westwinds is waiting on arrangements from Alberta Health Services to test all residents as well.
Westwinds has been in contact with other employees who were in contact with the individual who tested positive and two have been placed on isolation at home while AHS continues to conduct testing and contact other workers or employees who may have had contact.
“As a precautionary measure, all residents have been self-isolated to their suites,” said Ingalls.
Meals are being delivered directly to resident rooms and housekeeping schedules have not changed, however high touch-point areas in suites will be cleaned up to three times per day as a precaution.
To keep people active and engaged, recreation packages are being distributed to residents in their suites, she said.
Westwinds Communities is now engaging its protocols established for a confirmed case of COVID-19 in one of its facilities, such as screening residents and staff for symptoms twice per day, she said. In addition, employees are mandated to inform their supervisors of any contact with a suspected, probably or confirmed case of COVID-19 with the assurance that this declaration will not result in dismissal or job loss.
Workers who have direct contact with residents or work in common areas within two metres of residents of other employees will continue to be required to wear a mask, and will now add goggles to their personal protective equipment, she said. Residents will also be offered masks.
Visitors are currently prohibited at Sandstone Lodge for the duration of the outbreak, as per AHS regulations issued May 25.
“As per the order, no visitors, including those designated as essential, are allowed entry into these facilities, except in rare situations, or if a resident is receiving end of life care,” said Ingalls.
Residents have the option of staying with family outside of Sandstone Lodge for the duration of the outbreak, but are not permitted to return until it has concluded, which will be at least 14 days – or longer, if other cases surface, she said.
While being upgraded to a confirmed outbreak is worrisome and can cause anxiety, Ingalls wrote that the isolation guidelines and strict rules now in place including limiting employee movement, ceasing visitation and proper use of PPE will help the facility get through the next couple of weeks.
“We will get through this together,” she wrote. “We want to keep everyone as connected and healthy as possible while we are experiencing an outbreak.”
Tudor Manor remains open to designated family and support visitors. As part of the facility's COVID-19 response, each resident is permitted up to two designated supports who may visit under specific health guidelines.
Measures are being taken to ensure touch surfaces are sanitized, and staff, residents and visitors are given regular symptom checks.
