PAVILION – January 1, 2022- COVID POSITIVE RESIDENT = 1

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COVID UPDATE – January 1, 2022 – Pavilion

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 resident

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (1 resident | 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID CASE = January 1, 2022

We are sorry to bring the news that one resident at Pavilion has tested positive for COVID through a rapid test. This test was done as a result of exposure with a COVID positive individual. The resident has been instructed to isolate and monitor their symptoms. Support is provided to the resident by their loved ones.

Meals will be delivered to residents at their apartment suite until further notice.

Visitors to Independent Living – Pavilion, Terrace West, Primrose Gardens

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KEEPING YOUR LOVED ONE AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS SAFE

As the prevalence of COVID increases in our community, please use all the safety measures available to keep your loved one and their neighbours safe.

Although the Public Health Order calls for rapid testing for all visitors on the Menno Place campus, the inventory does not allow for rapid testing at the Independent Living Apartments. Please continue to self-screen (no symptoms), practice safe distance from others (6ft), wear a mask at all times (even with your loved one) and use hand hygiene (frequently) in order to enter the apartment building.

Continue to advise your loved one of all the layers of protection. We heard today from the Medical Health Officer that the efficacy of the vaccine increases from 60% to 75% with the 3rd booster shot. If your loved one is not fully vaccinated, please encourage them to become fully vaccinated.

Currently, our vaccination rates in the Apartments are:

Fully vaccinated (2 shots plus booster):

  • Pavilion: 69%
  • Terrace West: 79%
  • Primrose Gardens: 77%
  • Terrace East: 93%

On Dec. 31, 2021, Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC Public Health Officer announced that only essential visitors will be allowed to visit residents in long-term care: Menno Home and Menno Hospital – CLICK HERE FOR ANNOUNCEMENT

Assisted Living (Terrace East) continues social visits for residents with rapid test.

Independent Living continues social visits for vaccinated visitors.

 

PRIMROSE GARDENS – December 29, 2021- COVID POSITIVE RESIDENT = 1

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COVID UPDATE – December 29, 2021 – Primrose Gardens

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 resident

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (1 resident | 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID CASE = December 29, 2021

We are sorry to bring the news that one resident at Primrose Gardens has tested positive for COVID through a rapid test. This test was done as a result of exposure with a COVID positive individual. A PCR test (nasal swab) has been done – results are pending. Tablemates of this resident have all tested negative to rapid testing.

Screening has been put in place at the entrance of Primrose Gardens.

This is the memo that will be distributed to all residents of Primrose Gardens:

MEMO 

Date:  December 29, 2021  

To: Primrose Gardens Residents  

Re: COVID-19 Positive in Primrose Gardens 

COVID-19 POSITIVE – PRIMROSE GARDENS 

A resident of Primrose Gardens has been identified as COVID positive. Those in contact with the resident have been swabbed for COVID and are waiting for their test results. Residents who have been tested MUST ISOLATE until further notice from Public Health. 

DINING: While we wait for the test results and direction from Public Health, the dining room will be closed. Your meals will be delivered to your apartment suite until further notice. 

EXTRA PRECAUTIONS: The Omicron variant of COVID is extremely transmissible and can infect those who have had all vaccinations (including 3rd booster shot) as well as those who previously tested positive for COVID. Take ALL precautions, including self-isolating for your own protection. 

VISITORS: Your visitors must have a negative rapid test result before entering the apartment building/your suite. All (you and your visitor) must wear a mask at all times, including in your suite while visiting. Use hand sanitizer frequently and wash hands with warm, soapy water often. No unvaccinated people are permitted inside the apartment buildings, including your family members, housekeepers, service providers or friends. 

GET PREPARED FOR LOCKDOWN: This is a good time for your essential visitors to ensure you have EVERYTHING you need in your apartment. Ensure you have medications, groceries and clean laundry for the next 7 – 10 days. 

KEEP YOUR CONTACT GROUP SMALL: It is time now to reduce your contact with people to only those who provide you with essential services such as laundry, driving to essential appointments and grocery delivery. Visit with others on the phone instead of in person, even within this apartment building. 

WHAT ABOUT IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED? Omicron is infecting those who are fully vaccinated, including those who have the 3rd booster shot. Your illness will likely be more mild than if you were not vaccinated, but it can still be very debilitating or even cause hospitalization or death. . 

ESSENTIAL OUTINGS: This is a good time to reduce your outings to essential outings only, such as medical appointments. Choose to watch church online or on Channel 10. Since the Omicron variant is so prevalent in our community, it’s better to have an essential visitor bring you groceries if possible.  

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS? If you have any of the symptoms on the list below, go immediately to the Haida Center for a COVID-19 gargle or nasal swab test (PCR). Tell them that you live on a campus of care and that you are part of a vulnerable population. This will get you priority access to the testing. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID? Take a rapid test to see if you are positive at this time. If you are, go to the COVID test center for a PCR test to confirm the diagnosis. If you are negative, isolate and re-take the test in 24 hours. 

WHAT TO DO WITH TEST RESULTS? Phone Reception: 604.851.4000 to report all test results, including rapid tests. If there is no answer, leave a voicemail message. 

RAPID TESTS: You may also ask for a rapid test from Reception or the Dining Team. This test is a simple test that will tell if you have enough viral load at that moment to indicate if you are positive for COVID-19. It is not a definitive test. A PCR test is still required (gargle or nasal swab).  

WHAT ABOUT THE COMMON COLD? The common cold is VERY intense this year. If you have cold symptoms AND received a negative gargle or nasal swab test, you likely have a cold. DO NOT SPREAD IT. Stay isolated until symptoms are gone.  

Do you have any of these COVID symptoms – even mildly? Get tested for COVID and let us know: Reception: 604.851.4000 

Fever or chills?  Cough? Unproductive cough? 
Sore throat? Runny nose?  Extreme fatigue or tiredness? 
Body aches? Muscle aches?  Diarrhea? 
Difficulty breathing?  Loss of sense of smell or taste? 
Loss of appetite?  Headache? Nausea or vomiting? 

 

APARTMENTS – Social Leave Memo – Rapid Test required if going away overnight

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MEMO delivered in Menno Apartments

Date:         December 16, 2021
To:             All Menno Apartments Residents
Re:             Overnight trips and rapid tests
________________________________________________________________________

Dear Residents,

As we get closer to Christmas you may be planning an overnight trip to visit friends and family. If you are away from home overnight or longer you need to do a COVID rapid test when you get home.

This is NOT the same as a full COVID swab test. The rapid test is an easy test that you can do yourself right here on campus. Rapid tests are painless, far less invasive and the results are available in 15 minutes.

If you are going to be away overnight:

  1. Get a rapid test kit before you go. Kits are available at reception, in the dining room, from the visitation hosts and from Tamara, Life Enrichment Associate, in Pavilion. Each kit contains the test along with an instruction card that shows you how to do it.
  2. When you get home, go directly your apartment and take the rapid test. Stay in your apartment until you have your test results. This will take 15 minutes.

If the test is negative, call reception to report your negative result. Then throw the test away and there’s nothing else you need to do. Welcome home!

If the test is positive call reception to report your positive result.  On the weekend, call the kitchen to let them know you need your meal(s) delivered. You will need to the COVID testing site at 32470 Haida Drive for a swab or gargle test. Isolate and follow the instructions from the testing site.

Enjoy your visits and thank you for working with us to keep everyone safe.

Merry Christmas!

PRIMROSE GARDENS DINING ROOM – DECEMBER 16, 2021 – REOPENING MEMO

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MEMO DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PRIMROSE GARDENS RESIDENTS

Date:                December 15, 2021
To:                   All Primrose Gardens Residents
Re:                   In-Person Dining Room 7 Days a Week!
________________________________________________________________________

Dear Primrose Gardens Residents,

We are delighted to announce that starting Monday, December 20th all Primrose Gardens residents can eat together in the dining room, seven days a week.

  • The dining room will open for residents at 11:30 with lunch served at 12:00.
  • Sanitize your hands before you sit down and again after you’ve eaten.
  • Go directly to your table without visiting at other tables. Keep your mask on.
  • Your spot to sit is arranged with others from your floor. You will remain in this spot for contact tracing purposes.

To do our best to keep the dining room open, we need to work together to do our part to stay safe. This means:

  • Wear a mask to the dining room and keep it on until you start to eat or drink.
  • Put your mask back on immediately after you finish your meal.
  • Please do not visit other tables. This will reduce possibility of COVID transmission.
  • If you feel unwell (see COVID symptoms on back) call reception 604-851-4000 and your meal will be delivered at no charge. On the weekend, call the kitchen to make arrangements 604-851-7398.
  • Wear a mask at all times when outside of your apartment – in the hallways,when you are running errands and while at church. These are public health orders. Wear a mask if you visit or drive with any unvaccinated friends or family.
  • If you are concerned about joining the communal dining, please contact Leonard Klassen 604-851-4006 to arrange to have your meals delivered at no charge.

You can read more about the safety measures Menno Place is using to protect residents in the dining rooms during the pandemic on the back of this memo.

If you have any questions about the new guidelines for dining please contact Lynn at Reception 604-851-4000 or Leonard, Life Enrichment Coordinator, 604-851-4006.

Menno Place Dining Room Safety Procedures

We are hopeful that the decision to open the dining rooms will continue for the duration of the winter season. If the new COVID variant is prevalent in our community OR the public health orders change OR we have a COVID exposure, we may be required to close the dining room once again.

Why is it possible now to open the dining rooms?

  • CASPR air scrubbers have been installed in all dining rooms in the Apartments (99.96% kill rate on surfaces: bacteria, viruses and mold). This was recommended by Fraser Health out of an abundance of caution. (https://casprgroup.com/healthcare/)
  • Most residents in your building are fully vaccinated and have also had a third booster shot. All staff have been double vaccinated and many have had their booster.
  • The few residents who have not been vaccinated will be seated together.
  • Residents who have received one or two vaccine shots will be contacted to help them complete their vaccinations.
  • Church services are safer now that masks are mandatory by public health order. When everyone wears their mask (over nose and mouth), it reduces risk of becoming infected at church and bringing it home to your neighbors in this building.

If you have questions or concerns about these safety protocols please contact Leonard 604-851-4006.

Monitor yourself for any of these symptoms – if you have any symptoms, do not come to the dining room. Go to the COVID testing site at 32470 Haida Drive for a COVID test.

Fever                                  Sore throat                                                   Body aches

Cough                                 Loss of sense of smell                                Loss of sense of taste

Nausea                               Vomiting                                                       Difficulty breathing

Headache                          Loss of appetite                                          Diarrhea

Chills                                   Extreme fatigue or tiredness

 

 

PAVILION DINING ROOM – DECEMBER 16, 2021 – REOPENING MEMO

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MEMO PROVIDED TO ALL PAVILION RESIDENTS

Date:                December 15, 2021
To:                   All Pavilion Residents
Re:                   In-Person Dining Room 7 Days a Week!
________________________________________________________________________

Dear Pavilion Residents,

We are delighted to announce that starting Monday, December 20th all Pavilion residents can eat together in the dining room, seven days a week.

  • The dining room will open for residents at 11:30 with lunch served at 12:00.
  • Sanitize your hands before you sit down and again after you’ve eaten.
  • Go directly to your table without visiting at other tables. Keep your mask on.
  • Your spot to sit is arranged with others from your floor. You will remain in this spot for contact tracing purposes.

To do our best to keep the dining room open, we need to work together to do our part to stay safe. This means:

  • Wear a mask to the dining room and keep it on until you start to eat or drink.
  • Put your mask back on immediately after you finish your meal.
  • Please do not visit other tables. This will reduce possibility of COVID transmission.
  • If you feel unwell (see COVID symptoms on back) call reception 604-851-4000 and your meal will be delivered at no charge. On the weekend, call the kitchen to make arrangements 604-870-2926.
  • Wear a mask at all times when outside of your apartment – in the hallways, when you are running errands and while at church. These are public health orders. Wear a mask if you visit or drive with any unvaccinated friends or family.
  • If you are concerned about joining the communal dining, please contact Leonard Klassen 604-851-4006 to arrange to have your meals delivered at no charge.

You can read more about the safety measures Menno Place is using to protect residents in the dining rooms during the pandemic on the back of this memo.

If you have any questions about the new guidelines for dining please contact Lynn at Reception 604-851-4000 or Leonard, Life Enrichment Coordinator, 604-851-4006.

 

 

Menno Place Dining Room Safety Procedures

We are hopeful that the decision to open the dining rooms will continue for the duration of the winter season. If the new COVID variant is prevalent in our community OR the public health orders change OR we have a COVID exposure, we may be required to close the dining room once again.

Why is it possible now to open the dining rooms?

  • CASPR air scrubbers have been installed in all dining rooms in the Apartments (99.96% kill rate on surfaces: bacteria, viruses and mold). This was recommended by Fraser Health out of an abundance of caution. (https://casprgroup.com/healthcare/)
  • Most residents in your building are fully vaccinated and have also had a third booster shot. All staff have been double vaccinated and many have had their booster.
  • The few residents who have not been vaccinated will be seated together.
  • Residents who have received one or two vaccine shots will be contacted to help them complete their vaccinations.
  • Church services are safer now that masks are mandatory by public health order. When everyone wears their mask (over nose and mouth), it reduces risk of becoming infected at church and bringing it home to your neighbors in this building.

If you have questions or concerns about these safety protocols please contact Leonard 604-851-4006.

Monitor yourself for any of these symptoms – if you have any symptoms, do not come to the dining room. Go to the COVID testing site at 32470 Haida Drive for a COVID test.

Fever                                  Sore throat                                                   Body aches

Cough                                 Loss of sense of smell                                Loss of sense of taste

Nausea                               Vomiting                                                       Difficulty breathing

Headache                          Loss of appetite                                          Diarrhea

Chills                                   Extreme fatigue or tiredness

 

 

PAVILION FLU SHOT CLINIC – NOVEMBER 23

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Memo will be delivered on Monday, November 20

PAVILION FLU SHOT CLINIC – November 23

Dear Residents,

The flu shot will be available on Tuesday, November 23rd for all Pavilion residents who would like to have one.  We will come to your apartment suite to get you. The clinic will take place in the dining room.

These times are estimated:

  • 9:30am – 1st floor
  • 10 am – 2nd floor
  • 11 am – 3rd floor

Here’s what you need to do to get your flu shot:

  • Wear a short-sleeved shirt.
  • Have photo ID ready to show.
  • Wait in your apartment. Staff will come and get you when it’s time to come down to the dining room to get your shot.
  • We will start at 9:30am and expect the clinic to run throughout the day.
  • When you get to the clinic we’ll have a consent form ready for you to sign.

If you do not want to get a flu shot, just let the staff member know when they come to your door.

Thank you for being patient with us as we get these vaccinations done!

November 15, 2021 – PAVILION (IL) COVID EXPOSURE – No new COVID positives

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COVID UPDATE – November 15, 2021 – Pavilion COVID exposure

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 2 (2 residents PAVILION | 0 staff)

MOST RECENT COVID CASE = November 4, 2021

Public Health had a meeting with the Medical Health Officer today to let us know that:

  1. Pavilion will continue on Enhanced Monitoring until Nov. 19th at midnight – this date will change if there are any new symptomatic or positive residents
  2. We will continue with enhanced cleaning, PPE audits, cohorting our staff to only Pavilion, 2x daily wellness checks and screening incoming visitors
  3. The dining room will be opened on a new schedule AFTER November 19th – details to be announced
  4. All residents in suites 201-214 are off droplet precautions! Isolation carts will be removed
  5. Social visits are allowed again for fully vaccinated visitors
  6. We do not need to do another point prevalence testing (PPT) for all residents and staff (YAY!)
  7. Our team will continue daily calls with Public Health to report the monitoring that we are doing for symptoms and the results of our audits

As we move forward through the winter season, we now have a much clearer picture of how a COVID outbreak or COVID Enhanced Cleaning impacts the lives of residents in the apartments. In this case, the first COVID positive in Pavilion was reported on October 22, 2021. This is a full month ago. Every life of every resident was impacted and all of the staff were pulled together to provide the required support. As you connect with your loved one, please emphasize the vigilance that is needed to protect their lives and the lives of everyone who shares their apartment building home. This includes mask wearing when they are with anyone who is not a VERY close and trusted person in their life; using hand sanitizer at every touch point like doors, elevator buttons and railings; avoiding situations where others are not practicing all the layers of protection (a church environment where people are unmasked); and practicing social distancing of 6 feet from others.

We are grateful that there has been no loss of life in this Pavilion COVID Exposure. We are grateful that COVID didn’t spread widely through the apartment building as it has in other settings. We are grateful for the dedicated staff who work tirelessly in a COVID exposure environment to protect those who live in the apartment building.

We thank you all for your support and cooperation. A month is a very long time to live with restrictions. We are grateful that we didn’t have greater transmission which would have escalated this exposure to an outbreak. An outbreak requires most, if not all, of the residents to be isolated for a minimum of 2 weeks. Some of the residents in Pavilion and Terrace West experienced this extended isolation and it is extremely difficult.

Thank you for all you are doing to help your loved one stay safe – and to the residents for the efforts they are making to avoid situations that could expose them to COVID.

Contact Dan Janzen at 604-851-1350 with any questions.

ALL APARTMENT RESIDENTS (PG, PAV, TE, TW): Flu Shot Clinic next week

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Dear Residents,

Apex Pharmacy will be on site to give residents their flu shot on the following days:

  • Terrace East – Monday November 15th
  • Terrace West – Tuesday, November 16th
  • Primrose Gardens – Wednesday, November 17th
  • Pavilion – Date to be determined

According to HealthLink BC, adults aged 65 years and older are at increased risk for the flu. Getting the flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu. All residents are encouraged to get the flu shot. If you have any questions, or if you have special health concerns, please ask your doctor if the flu shot is right for you. If you do not want to get a flu shot, just let staff know when they come to your door.

Here’s what you need to do to get your flu shot:

  • Wear a short-sleeved shirt.
  • Bring your ID with you.
  • Wait in your apartment. Staff will come and get you when it’s time to come down to the dining room to get your shot.
  • We will start at 9:00am and expect the clinic to run throughout the day.
  • When you get to the clinic we’ll have a consent form ready for you to sign.

Lunch will be served to all residents in their apartments on the day of the clinic. Thank you for being patient with us as we get these vaccinations done!

Trish Giesbrecht
Interim Nurse Manager

Independent Living (IL) Apartments Information: What to expect if you’re on self-isolation

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The following is a memo detailing what to expect if you’re ever placed on droplet precautions (self-isolation).

We want to share the information so you have an idea of what is involved when you hear that someone has been placed on droplet precautions. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to staying safe.

—————————

What to Expect while on Self-Isolation for any Apartment Resident on Droplet Precautions:

 

We have placed you on droplet precaution. Reasons for this include having COVID symptoms, testing positive for COVID, being considered a close contact of someone who tested positive, or public health requiring you to self-isolate. We have placed an isolation cart outside your door with personal protective equipment for anyone who is required to enter your suite.

We directly communicate this with you. We encourage you and your primary contact to be in touch with any specific questions or comments.

You must remain in your suite while on droplet precautions. You can request an essential visitor to support you during this time. Please cancel all non-essential appointments. Do not leave your suite to do laundry or take out garbage. Do not have anyone socially visit you in your suite. Do not come out into the hallway. You must stay in your suite. We will deliver your meals to you.

We have arranged for 2 wellness checks daily; one will be when we deliver the meal and another one will be a telephone call. In the event you ill are feeling very unwell, do not hesitate to call 911 for help.

You will remain on droplet precautions UNTIL we hear from public health.

The length of time varies. For example, if you test positive for COVID, it is typically 14 days. If you are placed on droplet precautions due to a building outbreak, the time varies and is determined by public health. We will update you as soon as we have any information for you. You must stay in your suite until you have been told you no longer are required to do so. At that time, we will remove the isolation cart from outside your door.