The North Peace Housing Foundation (NPHF) has confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak at Homesteader Lodge in Hines Creek.
In a post on Facebook on Aug 30, they said the Lodge entered outbreak status on Aug. 22 with one confirmed case. There are now eight cases in residents, with six of these being asymptomatic. One staff member has COVID-19 and has been self-isolating since Aug. 17. and another is self-isolating as a precaution.
There has been one person who died, on Aug. 23, who tested positive, but it isn’t know that was the cause of death.
With the active case in the Lodge and community, all residents will be self-isolating for 14 days in order to contain the spread.
“This is an unfortunate turn of events for all concerned, but we feel this step is very necessary under the circumstances.”
Until further notice, only designated family/support visits will be scheduled, in advance, inside the building if the resident wishes to have a visitor. They say that each request for a scheduled visit will be managed on a case by case basis and all options for continued access to the resident will be evaluated following Public Health guidance.
In the post, NPHF shared these changes that have been put in place:
- NPHF Staff are limited to working in only one building during a confirmed outbreak.
- Any staff member feeling unwell, and/or who may have come into contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or who has recently been tested MUST disclose this information to their supervisor. Doing so will not result in dismissal or job loss.
- All residents will be screened for symptoms twice daily. Results will be documented.
- Residents and staff have been advised to increase their self-checks to twice daily.
- Any individual (staff or resident) showing COVID-19 symptoms will be required to isolate as per the latest order issued by Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
- All staff with direct resident contact, or who are working in common areas within 6 feet of any resident or other staff, must wear a mask. Use of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) will be directed according to the outbreak protocol.
- All meals will be delivered to the rooms of all residents in isolation.
- Residents in isolation must not leave their rooms (even if they feel better and have no symptoms) until they are cleared by Public Health.
- All resident recreational/group activities have been cancelled for the duration of the confirmed outbreak.
- Staff schedules will be reviewed regularly to ensure that appropriate staffing levels are maintained during this confirmed outbreak.
- Hairdressing services are not permitted while in outbreak status.
- New admissions into the Lodge will not be permitted, unless at the explicit direction of the Zone Medical Officer of Health.
- Cleaning and disinfection will continue to be performed at least once per day on all low touch surfaces (e.g., shelves, benches, windowsills, message or white boards, etc.) and any high touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, call bells, handrails, phones, elevator buttons, TV remote), common areas, dining areas and lounges, to a minimum of three times daily.
- Gifts will no longer be accepted.