Dear Renfrew Care Centre Residents, Families and Staff:

We want to provide an update on the COVID-19 outbreak at Renfrew Care Centre.

Today we are reporting that 12 residents and 9 staff are currently COVID-19 positive.

The staff members are at home isolating and families of residents that have tested positive have been notified.

Staff will continue to wear personal protective equipment and we have implemented additional outbreak control measures that aim to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. This includes placing the second, third, fourth and fifth floors on outbreak precautions and enhanced surveillance to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We will also limit interactions where necessary, such as meal times (meals will be delivered to resident’s rooms) and visits to Renfrew Care Centre will not be possible at this time.

These measures will continue for the foreseeable future to ensure the safety of your loved ones, as well as our staff.

VCH Public Health continues to closely with Renfrew Care Centre to determine which staff and residents may have been exposed in order to prevent further infections. We assure you that if your family member, or person you are the primary contact for, is diagnosed with COVID-19 you will be contacted directly by phone and they will receive the care they need.

We have had to temporarily remove the community phone as it was deemed a high touch item that would be difficult to monitor. We understand the stress this may cause families and we are working on implementing a safer option. We hope to soon have a cordless phone to be able to book sessions for families to speak with their loved ones. Please understand this is done to keep the residents safe. As soon as this is implemented we will take booking for calls.

We have heard concerns from some families about possible language barriers. We do have several staff that speak multiple languages and they do communicate in the language most comfortable for the resident when ever possible.

We recognize that this is a challenging time and we appreciate your patience and support. Please know that we will keep you informed about the safety and well-being of your loved ones. We remain committed to the health and safety of residents, families and staff and we are all working diligently to control this outbreak.

For further information on COVID-19 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.