Hello Families and Friends!

I hope this newsletter finds you well. I would like to begin by congratulating each and everyone in maintaining our communal efforts in containing this aggressive virus. At Peace Portal Seniors Village, we are committed to following our Provincial Health Officer’s orders regarding infection control, which include but are not limited to: Single Site Protocol for care staff, screening staff before shift starts and halfway to shift end, screening all residents every shift, not allowing any staff/management to work showing any flu-like symptoms, symptomatic staff to self-isolate for 14 days; sick residents to be isolated for 14 days, enhanced cleaning/sanitation hourly to highly touched surfaces including furniture, reinforcing hand hygiene, cough etiquette, social distancing, donning of PPE in the duration of the shift, and No Visitation Policy. Screening essential workers including doctors and contractor/repairmen before letting in to the building and restricted to affected areas only . Because of this Peace Portal remains COVID-19 free. As of May 11, 2020 the COVID-19 Update in BC is as follows:

We can slowly see the flattening of the curve as we receive report of a downward trend in number of hospitalized patients and deaths and an increase in total recovered cases. However, we must not let our guard down. The virus is very much still here, and our front liners continue to march to the battle ground on a day-to-day basis to face this invisible, insidious enemy.

This week is National Nurses’ Week (May 11^th to May 17^th). I would like to take this time to honour our valued nurses in their efforts and sacrifices. It is indeed a scary time and it takes courage to report to work despite the anxiety, the risks, and the fear that they might take the virus home to their loved ones.

We have young nurses who have plans and dreams. Adult nurses with children and families to support. And aging nurses who are most vulnerable in contracting the disease. Bravery is not equivalent to the absence of fear. Rather, it is taking courage despite the presence of fear. For that, WE THANK YOU, WE HONOUR YOU, and WE APPRECIATE YOU, NURSES!

I am sure the 7 o’clock cheer and small thank you notes do not go unnoticed. In their own way, they reinforce the morale of not only our nurses, but all our front liners, including the doctors, care aides, kitchen staff, housekeeping, and all essential workers.

As the plan to gradually open up BC again, starting on May 14^th, we remind you to be mindful of your behaviours and continue to respect physical distancing and COVID-19 precautions as ordered by our Provincial Health Officer. We are all in this together!

Sincerely and sending you my best regards,

Jessica Obra, RN