Dear Family and Friends of Tabor Village,
We are writing to notify you that a resident at Valhaven Home was diagnosed with COVID-19. The Communicable Disease Control team in Fraser Health is working with the staff at the facility to identify anyone who may have been exposed and to take steps to protect the health of all residents and staff.
This exposure does not mean that you or your family member is sick with COVID-19. Residents who do not have symptoms will be monitored. We do not recommend testing for residents who do not have symptoms because the test is not reliable in the absence of symptoms. Residents who develop symptoms will be isolated, tested for COVID-19 and receive the care they need.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. It can spread through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, or by touching the virus with your hands then touching your face before washing your hands. Symptoms of COVID-19 may be mild or severe. These may include low grade fever, cough, sneezing, and/or sore throat. More severe symptoms could include fever, difficulty breathing and/or chest pain. The elderly are at higher risk of severe disease, but even in this population, most people will experience mild illness.
Fraser Health will be providing infection control support to Valhaven Home throughout this time. In light of the potentially severe consequences of COVID-19, outbreak control measures have been put in place at Valhaven Home. This may result in some residents being confined to their rooms, including during mealtimes. Please also note that restrictions to group activities and non-essential services will continue to be upheld. These precautions prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, and are standard approaches used in care facilities during seasonal Influenza outbreaks.
As you are already aware, the no visitors policy and extraordinary screening measures for all staff will continue for the foreseeable future. There is no timetable for when these restrictions will be lifted.
If you have further questions, please contact:
Yours sincerely,
Dan Levitt, MSc., CHE
Executive Director
604-859-8715 ext. 102
