Dear Renfrew Care Centre Residents, Families and Staff:
We are writing to notify you that an outbreak of Covid-19 has been declared at Renfrew Care Centre.
We have confirmed 3 positive cases in residents and 3 positive cases in staff on the 3rd floor, and 1 positive case in a resident on the 5th floor.
Both floors are now on droplet precaution, and all staff and residents from those floors have been tested for Covid -19.
If your family member, or person you are the primary contact for, tests positive you will be directly contacted by phone.
Public Health is working closely with Renfrew Care Centre to determine which staff and residents may have been exposed, in order to prevent further infections.
Covid-19 is a respiratory illness. It can spread through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, or touching the virus with your hands and then touching your face before washing your hands. Symptoms of Covid-19 range from mild to severe. These symptoms may include fever, cough, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, temporary loss of taste and/or smell and sometimes nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. More severe symptoms can include difficulty breathing or chest pain. While most people experience a mild illness, older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions are at a higher risk for a more severe illness.
Outbreak control measures have been put in place at Renfrew Care Centre. This may result in some residents being asked to remain in their rooms, including during mealtimes. You may also notice restrictions to group activities and non-essential services. These precautions prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, and are standard approaches already used in care homes during seasonal influenza outbreaks.
This will mean that visits to Renfrew Care Centre will not be possible until the outbreak is declared over. The exception includes compassionate visits as a resident reaches end of life. Further measures for infection control may be identified and directed by Vancouver Coastal Health, who is our licensing body and regulator.
All Renfrew Centre staff will continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, as they did before the outbreak, in order to protect both residents and staff at all times.
We will be closely monitoring residents and staff for symptoms. Residents and staff who develop any symptoms, however mild, will receive the testing and care they need.
For further information on Covid-19, please visit the Vancouver Coastal Health Information Page http://www.vch.ca/covid-19 or call HealthLink BC by dialing 8-1-1.
For families with any outstanding questions, or who require emotional support or assistance navigating the Healthcare System, please contact the PHC/VCH LTC Family Support Line at 1-844-824-2219 or 604-875-4953.
Please note that the PHC/VCH LTC Family Support Line cannot provide specific resident status reports.
For information regarding the status of a resident at Renfrew Care Centre, please contact Ying Chow, General Manager, Renfrew Care Centre, at: 604-216-2330 (direct line) or 604-255-7723 ext 145.