A COVID-19 outbreak at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home has been declared over by the Northwestern Health Unit. The outbreak at the home was initially declared on January 2, 2021. A total of three residents and one staff member tested positive in the home during the outbreak period.
As a precautionary measure we have implemented comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in the Home. We continue to support, monitor and work with all staff, to consistently reinforce all infection prevention and control protocols. Staff cohorting, whereby staff members only work on a single unit, remains a priority. All staff continues with their 7-day testing schedule. Riverside continues to follow all guidelines of the Ministry of Long Term Care and Public Health directives to ensure everyone’s safety.
As of December 26, 2020, due to the province wide lock down, all caregivers/essential visitors must be swabbed once a week/every 7 days. Proof of a negative swab result is required. In addition, general visitors are not allowed into the Home. Visitors for palliative residents continue, and starting Thursday January 28, 2021, one (1) essential/designated caregiver will be allowed into the Home. This along with our added protective measures will continue to enhance the Home’s ability to reduce the risk of transmission at this time. We continue to ask the public for their understanding and cooperation as it relates to visitor restrictions.
Through the dedication, co-operation, and perseverance of staff at Rainycrest and across our organization, the outbreak was resolved with minimal impact to the Home’s staff and residents.
We recognize how emotionally difficult and challenging this pandemic has been on our residents and their loved ones. We thank everyone for their understanding and continued support as we continue to develop a coordinated, evidence-based and equitable approach in providing safe, quality and timely care to those we serve.
