Evergreen Community Update # 41

April 6, 2022

Dear Residents, Staff, Families, and Volunteers:

As of today, April 6^th, a total of four (4) residents tested positive for COVID-19 on 1^st West Avenue, this puts Evergreen on Confirmed Outbreak. Affected residents are on isolation precaution and are slowly recovering. There are also four (4) confirmed cases among staff.

Evergreen is working closely with Public Health, DSLTC, OHSW, and IPAC-LTC to effectively manage the Outbreak and provide necessary guidance to staff affected with COVID-19.

As per Public Health recommendations, the following are in place:

·         The affected residents will remain on isolation with droplet and contact precaution. Precautions may be lifted a minimum of 7 days or up to 10 days after the onset of initial symptoms, provided resident is afebrile, has had only mild illness and have improved clinically.

·         Symptomatic residents are required to isolate and nasopharyngeal swab completed.

·         Meals served in resident’s room with staff supervision as required.

·         Staff providing direct care to affected and symptomatic residents are required to wear appropriate PPE, including the use of UPP mask.

·         Non-essential visitors are generally not permitted on the affected unit during outbreak. Designated Caregivers, volunteers, essential visitors, and specialized workers will be permitted per the Health Protection Act Order.

Visitation on Non-affected Units (including Children Center)

·         Visits are open from Monday-Sunday,10am-3pm, to all residents on non-affected units.

·         Appointments are no longer necessary. However, residents are permitted to have only 2 visitors at a time. If you arrive and the resident you would like to see already has their allotted 2 visitors with them, you will be asked to come back another time.

·         Screening will continue to take place upon arrival; masking and proof of vaccination are still required. 

·         Visits are limited to resident’s room, Unit’s hallway, and outdoor (weather permitting) until further notice.

·         Residents on non-affected units are allowed to leave facility for overnight visits, sightseeing drives, and attend medical appointment.  Family/SDM is requested to notify Unit supervisor in advance if planning to take resident out of facility.

Recreational Activities and other essential services

·         With residents’ safety as our top priority, group recreational activities will be scheduled per Unit per day.

• Visitors are discouraged from joining recreational activities at this time.
• Meal-time cohorts will remain unchanged.

Staff

·         Co-horting of staff / staff assignments is continuously reviewed and implemented as per operational requirement.

·         Proof of Vaccination and masking requirements remain in place for staff.

Public Health Guidelines

·         Visitors, Staff, and Residents are encouraged to frequently wash hands.

·         Wear mask properly. Mask should cover mouth and nose.

·         Observe social distancing as much as possible, except when providing direct personal care to residents.

·         If feeling unwell, visitors are advised to refrain from visiting.

·         Everyone is highly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.

·         Designated Care Givers to please read the document developed by government of Nova Scotia “Visiting your Loved One in Long Term Care”. Coronavirus (COVID-19): restrictions and guidance - Government of Nova Scotia, Canada

If you have any questions, please reach out to Amanda Kelly (SDON) at ext 240, Andrea Cottrell (CDON) at ext 229 or Nanette Velasco (ADON) at ext. 304.

“ In a world where you can be anything, be KIND.”