Outbreak:
Orchard Trail came out of outbreak on March 4 (following the last newsletter) as had been expected which was great news.
Masking:
There are no changes (per the Ministry) to our masking requirements while on JMPC property (inside and outside). Masks continue to be required at all times for all general visitors, essential caregivers and staff.
Changes Effective March 14 2022
Short term (day) Absences and Overnight Absences:
All residents, regardless of their vaccination status can go on social, day and/or overnight absences.
Residents are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while they are out, use hand sanitizer and limit the number of people they interact with.
Rapid antigen test will be done on residents who participate in these absences on Day 2 and a PCR test on day 5 following the absence.
Residents that go on absences on a daily or frequent basis will have a PCR test and rapid antigen test, on the same day, two times per week (for example, PCR and rapid test on Tuesday; and PCR and rapid antigen test on Friday).
When residents return from an overnight absence they will:
- Be actively screened and then monitored for symptoms twice daily for 10 days
- If returning from a hospital*: PCR or rapid antigen tested prior to or when returning home and quarantined until a negative test result can be obtained.
- If returning from the community: be screened and quarantine on arrival until negative PCR test result or rapid molecular test result from day five test.
- Those residents who do not have 3 or 4 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are required to quarantine for 10 days with a PCR test on day five.
If a resident has a known exposure to a case while on their absence, please inform the Home ASAP. This timely notification will help us ensure the safety of all residents that may be affected (ie tablemates, roommates, etc) This will be treated as a high-risk contact as per the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes for Public Health Units, which would require a resident to isolate until a PCR test on day five is negative (providing the resident is vaccinated with at least three doses). If the resident involved in the absence has not been vaccinated or boosted, they will need to isolate for 10 days.
Absence Consideration:
For those who may consider taking a resident out on a social absence, please be very aware of your own health symptoms and if you are feeling at all unwell, or were not feeling well the day before, please postpone your outing.
General Visitors and Visiting Hours:
All general visitors, including children can now visit the Home. Children under 5 are not eligible for the vaccine but can still enter the Home. Infants under one year old do not have to be swabbed prior to the visit.
All General Visitors must have at least 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and provide proof to the screeners to gain entrance. General Visitors will need to comply with the screening questions. They will have a rapid antigen test on site. Once a negative test result has been obtained, the general visitor will head to MacDonald Hall where they can have a visit with the resident. General Visitor visits are confined to MacDonald Hall and tea room only.
There continues to be no eating or drinking at any time while on the premises for all general visitors and essential caregivers. This is a ministry directive.
Visiting Hours have been extended commencing Monday and are from 2:30-4:30pm AND 6:00pm – 7:00pm seven days a week but do require pre-booking using our online booking platform accessible here. https://www.picktime.com/JMPC
Our Resident Support Aides will assist residents to / from the visit.
There is a maximum number of visiting times available each day to ensure we can maintain physical distancing.
The Ministry has increased the total number of visitors / essential caregiver per resident to 4 people now.
Window and Outdoor Visits:
If you are coming for a window visit or an outdoor visit with a resident, you do not have to go through our screening or testing process. If however, the resident requires assistance to get to your visit, you will need to pre-book your visit so that we can ensure to set up staff to get the resident to you.
Weekend General Visitors:
If you are aware of someone who is planning to come to visit a resident at JMPC, and may not get this newsletter, please remind them of the need to pre-book their visit.
COVID Positive:
For anyone entering the Home who has tested positive for COVID-19, you must not enter the Home for 10 days from your positive test. This applies to everyone (staff included).
Chat with you in our next newsletter which will be in your inbox on March 18th 2022. If there are substantial changes prior to that, we will certainly send out a special update prior to our regular newsletter.
Have a great week,
Angela Malcolm
Director
