ACDS COVID-19 Update: March 23
Message from Andrea Hesse, CEO

  • Public Health Order: 1 visitor per individual limit to continuing care facilities, and enhanced visitor health screenings
  • Report your ongoing challenges: continue to report new issues related to COVID-19 to andrea@acds.ca, so ACDS can effectively advocate for the sector
  • COVID-19 information and resources: resource list updated daily
New Public Health Measures
Over the weekend, the Alberta government has set more aggressive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. The new public health measures will further impact the Community Disability Services sector. ACDS will continue to keep you informed as, and when we learn of such critical, new information and updates. 

Yesterday a  Public Health Order was signed , impacting: 
  • All licensed supportive living (including group homes, lodges and including Indigenous supportive living settings) 
  • Long-term care (nursing homes and auxiliary hospitals) 

Given that individuals over 60 and those with pre-existing health conditions are most at risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, the Public Heath Order: 

  1. Limits visitors to all continuing care facilities (all licensed supportive living and long-term care) to a single individual (essential visitor) designated by the resident or guardian (or other alternate decision-maker).  
  2. Facilities are required to have a security staff or greeter to conduct thorough health screening measures of the essential visitor. 
  3. Exceptions to the essential visitor rules can be made by the designated visitor for the resident’s family, their religious leader(s), and their friends to visit a person who is dying, so long as only one visitor enters the facility at a time. 

We have been told that that the Ministry of Community and Social Services (CSS) will issue communication later today or early tomorrow, with a formal statement about these changes. We will forward on CSS’ statement as soon as we receive it.  

ACDS is aware that these new restrictions may create challenges for some service providers who may not have the necessary equipment, such as thermometers, to conduct the thorough screening mandated by the Public Health Order. If you are purchasing new equipment, please record these expenses, as well as other expenses directly related to COVID-19. We also ask that you continue to report any issues related to these new measures, or any other challenges related to COVID-19 directly to me, at  Andrea@acds.ca

I know many of you have already instituted restrictions on visitors for the safety of individuals in group-living situations. I encourage you to use these new mandated restrictions as an opportunity for conversations with families about whether any visits other than in exceptional circumstances should be occurring at this time for the safety of staff and residents.  

We continue to advocate for the sector to ensure that service providers have the proper resources and supports during this challenging time. In addition to daily updates and raising of issues with CSS officials, I also spoke with Minister Sawhney this weekend and raised all of the issues impacting the sector. I also shared the incredible work being done by service providers. In all these conversations over the weekend, I strongly advocated for direct engagement with service providers by CSS and I am hopeful, based on these conversations, that this engagement will occur this week. 

 
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Alberta Council of Disability Services