January 7, 2022
Dear Friends and Family Members,
KSV Long Term/Complex Care Exposure Event Update
On December 29, 2021, Interior Health determined that an exposure event is now in place at Kamloops Seniors Village Long Term Care due to a staff member testing positive to COVID-19. Out an abundance of caution, Interior Health expanded the exposure event to both floors of our Long Term Care side of our home. The exposure event is currently through January 12,2022.
In total to date, we have had four (4) staff test positive, all traced back to Kamloops community/family exposures and were caught with our staff rapid testing program.
We currently only have one (1) active staff case who is on their last day of isolation today (Friday) & Zero (0) residents are symptomatic.
An active case is when the person in question is still within their 5 days from of either onset of symptoms or testing positive. Please note there are delays when communicating additional cases as there are delays from the time staff rapid test, to getting their PCR test booked and receiving their results.
We are still working closely with the Interior Health Authority (IHA) and Public Health. Exposure events last 10 days from the last positive COVID-19 case, with 4 days of follow ups from IHA.
We recognize this news will create concern and anxiety for residents, family members and other loved ones. Please know that the care and safety of residents is our number one priority and we are treating the situation very seriously.
Our next communication will be on Monday, January 10, 2022, unless changes occur.
Protocols
BC’s Medical Health Officer has been notified, and Kamloops Seniors Village is following our existing protocols established by Interior Health, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and the BC Center for Disease Control.
At present, all the following existing actions to mitigate contagion and infection control are in place:
Social Visits are currently on hold through January 18, 2022
We will continue to act upon the latest advice of BC’s Health Ministry and will adapt our operations as necessary and recommended.
NEW COVID-19 LTC Visitor Policy as of Jan 1 2022
As per Dr. Bonnie Henry, the BC Provincial Government has once again imposed visitor restrictions in long-term care homes due to the transmission rate of Omicron.
As of January 1, 2022, only Essential Visitors are allowed in our ENTIRE Kamloops Seniors Village Community including both Complex/Long Term Care & Assisted/Independent Living sides of the home. We are still awaiting updated Ministry of Health Written Guidance. The restriction will be in place through January 18, 2022.
Since we are a campus of care & not a stand-alone long term care community, we are acting in an abundance of caution and including our Assisted-Independent Living side of the building as well to protect our residents, tenants, and staff during this time.
The following measures are effective as of January 1, 2022:
When Essential Visitors Enter the building, the same screening standards apply:
For Assisted & Independent Living Essential Visit requests, please contact Amy Suerink, AL Clinical Manager asuerink@retirementconcepts.com. For Complex Care Essential Visit requests, contact Deena Aspinall, Director of Care, daspinall@retirementconcepts.com.
As you are aware, the information and steps that are being taken to combat this virus have been changing rapidly. Our Kamloops Seniors Village team will do our best to keep you informed about changes that impact our residents, as well as yourselves.
If we all do our bit, we are increasing our chances at staying healthy and contributing to the national effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding!
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank families and loved ones in advance for their patience and cooperation as we manage through this event. We also ask that all friends and family do their part to stay safe with the increase number of COVID-19 cases in our province. We will continue to keep you updated as new information is available.
MASK REMINDERS
Effective Immediately, per Interior Health, all visitors (ages 5 years and up) are now required to keep their mask on at ALL times while in the building, including while in their family member’s/friend’s private room, until further notice.
VISITOR RAPID TESTING
As many of you know, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Henry, and Minister Dix announced a number of new orders and public health measures, to reduce COVID-19 transmission in B.C.
A provincial order was recently released that will require all visitors ages 12 years and older to get a rapid COVID-19 test upon entry into all seniors care communities. The order will be implemented tentatively by January 7, 2022 (subject to product delivery). Once we receive any updated details, we will immediately share them with you.
We thank you for your cooperation in implementing all the necessary measures to keep KSV residents, staff, and families safe during the pandemic. We will keep you updated and continue to share more details as rapid POC test kits are distributed to communities.
Sincerely,
The KSV Team