August 25, 2021
Dear Families and Residents of Kamloops Seniors Village,
We thank you for your patience during these uncertain times. A few new updates to inform you all about. As a precautionary measure, the Medical Health Officer and Interior Health directed us to COVID test all residents on the 1C Complex Care [Long Term Care] Neighbourhood, as well as 2 unvaccinated residents on the 1B Neighbourhood.
Unfortunately, three (3) tests have come back positive on the 1C Complex Care [Long Term Care] Neighbourhood, 2 of which were asymptomatic and are currently resting comfortably in their room. All remaining residents’ tests were negative.
We have been in contact with the affected resident’s families and contract tracing has commenced.
We have proactively commenced outbreak procedures on the 1C Neighbourhood, and have reached out to the Medical Health Officer & Health Authority for further direction. The Health Authority is the only approved body to officially declare a neighbourhood/community on an outbreak.
What Does This Mean?
As previously communicated, on August 19, 2021, we were informed that a fully vaccinated staff member who last worked on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 (Evening Shift) in the Complex Care [Long Term Care] 1C neighborhood, has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
On, Friday, August 20, 2021, we were informed a subsequent 1C Neighbourhood staff member had also tested positive, & last worked on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 (Day Shift).
We had a call on Friday, August 20, 2021 with the Health Authority and medical health officer (MHO) and discussed the second positive case. The two cases have been identified as unrelated per the health authority’s contact tracing since both staff members developed symptoms on the same day & had no contact with each other. Therefore, at this time the health authority is still NOT declaring us on an outbreak but rather remain operating in a “heightened precaution” mode.
We had a call with the Health Authority at 11:00 am yesterday, August 24, 2021. Since the 1B & 1C neighbourhoods share a kitchen area, the Medical Health Office directed us to cancel social visitation & recreation activities on the 1B Complex Care [Long Term Care] Neighbourhood as a precautionary measure.
Both staff members are still isolating at home and doing well with minimal symptoms, regular wellness checks have continued.
Our staff continue to diligently monitor our residents for symptoms. As a standard practice throughout the pandemic, ALL residents are continued to be screened twice daily for COVID-19 symptoms including their temperature. Only residents with symptoms are to be tested per the health authority and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC) parameters unless otherwise instructed by the Medical Health Officer; the BC CDC information is found here. Therefore, if your family member requires testing, you will be contacted by phone.
These circumstances have not affected the delivery of services for our Independent-Assisted Living tenants, nor the Residents in our other Complex-Care neighborhoods.
Our staff continue to wear appropriate PPE at all times, as well we continue to be attentive to our hand hygiene practices. Hand washing, hand washing, and hand washing.
We are communicating with the health authority and are working together on monitoring and prevention protocols. These events will be communicated to you in daily communications such as this, which will also be posted to the Community Update Section of our Website after it is sent out to you. If you have other family or friends who would like to be updated, please feel free to direct them to www.retirementconcepts.com
Staff COVID-19 Vaccination Information
We also wanted to provide some further information regarding the current mandates for staff vaccinations. As a licensed Long Term Care (Complex Care) and Assisted Living community, we follow the mandates of the BC Provincial Health Officer. The current health order stipulates that the COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged, but not mandatory.
Recently on August 12, 2021, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Medical Health Officer, announced a new upcoming mandate where all Long Term Care & Assisted Living staff must have a Covid-19 vaccine by October 12. The details of the news release is found here.
We continue to promote immunization to our staff, but they have until October 12 to comply with the new mandate. We are awaiting the details of this mandate in writing from the Interior Health Authority in order to comply by the OCOVIDctober 12 deadline. All staff continue to wear masks and proper PPE in addition to stringent hand washing protocols.
Deliveries
All deliveries continue to be received. All items will be sanitized and delivered directly to the resident’s suites.
Teamwork
Again I would like to re-iterate that we are NOT in a COVID outbreak at this time but taking a proactive approach. I can assure you that if there are any changes we will notify you in a timely manner.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the leadership team. We would like to thank you in advance for all for your understanding, patience and support.
If you are looking to stay up to date on current COVID-19 information, we encourage you to look at the following resources. They are concise, accurate and informative.
Sincerely
The Kamloops Team