MAY 3, 2021 – MENNO HOSPITAL EAST 2 – COVID positive = 1 STAFF

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COVID UPDATE – May 3, 2021 – Menno Hospital E2

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES  = 0 (0 residents / 0 staff)

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (0 residents/ 1 staff)

Public Health has assessed the risk and will not require a 2nd COVID swab (point prevalence testing) for residents and staff. YAY! 24 residents on droplet precaution remain on droplet precautions. Primary contact has been notified. If there are no symptomatic staff or residents AND no COVID positive, residents will be off of droplet precautions on May 9th.

  • Social visits remain closed

APRIL 28 – MENNO HOSPITAL EAST 2 – *NEW* COVID positive = 1 STAFF

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COVID UPDATE – April 28, 2021 – *New*  Menno Hospital E2

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES  = 1 (0 residents / 1 staff)

TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 (0 residents/ 1 staff)

Residents are on enhanced monitoring precautions:

  • Stop all social visits
  • Residents to stay in their rooms
  • Staff to use separate entrance

We are waiting for further instruction from Public Health to assess the risk. The precautions may change when they update us.

Update – Social Visits – Menno Home, Menno Hospital, Terrace East Assisted Living

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Update – Social Visits – March 27, 2021 – Menno Home, Menno Hospital, Terrace East Assisted Living

Our teams did some great work to move forward with the practical steps needed to put in place the social visit changes, effective April 1, 2021.
We plan to open the new booking calendar on Tuesday, March 30th. We will announce it on our Family and Friends Facebook Page and to families through www.MennoPlaceLife.com
You can read a summary of new changes to the social visits on this webpage: https://mennoplacelife.com/social-visit/

A big change is that residents will be dining together in the dining rooms effective April 1, 2021.

You can also register on this web page to indicate that you want an email when the new booking calendar opens. We expect that it will be available on Tuesday, March 30th. Send this link (above) to anyone who wants to visit who is not currently a designated visitor.

We are excited to offer over 300 bookings per week per building in this new system. Bookings are available 7 days/week. We are recruiting to hire 2 more Visitation Hosts – more information is available on https://www.mennoplace.ca/careers/

The booking calendar will give you an entry-time when you will be screened to enter the building. You will then go to your loved one’s room or apartment to visit unsupervised, following infection control protocols.

There will be more communication coming about specific questions that you have, such as bringing in food, pets or joining your loved one in a meal.

An immediate change for Terrace East residents is that the grocery delivery to Reception will not continue after April 1, 2021. Groceries will be delivered directly to residents in their apartments by their social visitor.

There are many family members who are concerned about the safety of their loved one under these new guidelines. The staff are concerned about COVID as well. Please remember that this is a huge transition, particularly for those who have been frontline workers who have see first-hand the devastating effect of COVID and COVID isolation. Although this announcement is good news to some, it is difficult news for others.

Some of you are wondering what will happen with your current safe visit bookings – we plan to move bookings from April 1 – 8 into the new booking calendar at the same time as you are currently booked. After April 8, you’ll need to book your social visits again in the new booking calendar (opening next week).

Menno Place continues to be committed to the vigilant practice of infection control protocols within our buildings and among our residents. We are eager for residents to have this meaningful connection in a way that keeps everyone safe. It is a short time ago that we faced COVID head-on and that is something that we never want to face again. We are grateful for the respectful way you’ve connected with us throughout the past year of lockdown and COVID protocols.

Thank you, again, for how you continue to work with us for the good of your loved one. We pray that this next season of visits will be a time of immeasurable blessing for your loved one, for you and for our staff.

We are excited for you and your loved ones that you can be together, again, in this way. For many of you and our residents, it has been nearly unbearable. We look forward to seeing you next week!

COVID UPDATE – MARCH 16 – MENNO HOSPITAL W2 & E2

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COVID-19 EXPOSURE – MARCH 16 – MENNO HOSPITAL W2 & E2
The staff and residents of Menno Hospital W2 and E2 were swabbed for COVID-19 on March 15th. All but 2 results are back and all the returned results are negative.
Public Health continues to require enhanced monitoring for the residents until a reassessment on March 20th. .
This includes:
  • Tray service in the resident rooms
  • Recreation in group activities is halted for now
  • Social visits and Essential visits are cancelled
  • Enhanced cleaning and COVID screening continues
  • Zoom visits continue for the residents of W2 and E2.
  • Safe visits are cancelled until enhanced monitoring is completed
We are very hopeful that enhanced monitoring will be complete after the 20th, but this is yet to be determined.

COVID UPDATE – MARCH 8 – MENNO HOSPITAL COVID EXPOSURE

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COVID-19 EXPOSURE – MENNO HOSPITAL E2 & W2 – March 8, 2021

We have been notified by Public Health that someone at Menno Hospital was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Safe and Essential visits have been cancelled and all who were exposed were swabbed for COVID. Under the direction from Public Health, this was only staff who received a COVID swab.
When we receive the results of those swabs, we expect to hear from Public Health to provide us with further direction. At this time, E2 Hospital and W2 Hospital are under “enhanced monitoring”.
This includes:
  • Tray service in the resident rooms
  • Recreation in group activities is halted for now
  • Social visits and Essential visits are cancelled
  • Enhanced cleaning and COVID screening continues
We will keep you posted about other aspects of enhanced monitoring as we become aware through Public Health.
E1 Menno Hospital will continue to have safe visits, dining in the dining room and group recreational activities.
Here is a letter from Fraser Health to the families and residents of Menno Hospital E2 and W2:
March 8, 2021
Dear Residents and Families of Menno Hospital,
We are writing to notify you that someone at Menno Hospital was diagnosed with COVID-19. The Fraser Health enhanced monitoring team is working with the staff and medical staff at the home to identify anyone who may have been exposed and to take steps to protect the health of all residents, staff and medical staff. Our Medical Health Officer has not declared a COVID-19 outbreak at this time.
This exposure does not mean that your family member is sick with COVID-19. Residents, staff and medical staff will be screened twice-daily for any signs of illness. Those who develop symptoms will be isolated, tested for COVID-19 and provided the care they need.
The health and safety of residents, staff and medical staff is our first priority and a responsibility we take very seriously. To date, as part of our proactive management, Fraser Health has worked to ensure enhanced measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at this home.
We know that staying away from your loved one is very difficult and we appreciate that you are cooperating with this request with the goal of keeping residents, staff and medical staff healthy.
Staff and medical staff at this home will continue to provide care and services to our residents to enhance their safety and well-being while maintaining routines where it is safe to do so. We will also keep you up-to-date on any changes related to your family member’s health status.
For general information about COVID-19, call 8-1-1, or visit HealthLinkBC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-covid-19
If you have further questions, please contact Smitha Varghese, Director of Care, (604) 851-1337, Smitha.Varghese@MennoPlace.ca

COVID UPDATE – MARCH 7, 2021 – SAFE VISIT UPDATE

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COVID-19 Update – March 7, 2021 – Safe Visits

Menno Home – We are pleased to announce that all Designated Visitors of Menno Home residents in E1, E2 and W1 received a phone call last week informing them that the safe visit program is once again available.

Last week was the first week of safe visits for the residents of Menno Home E2, survivors of the COVID outbreak in their unit. This was an emotional time for both families and residents with three days of visits focused on this unit.

The Safe Visit program is a government-funded program whose funding was guaranteed until March 31, 2021. Although we have not had written confirmation of continued funding, we are continuing to provide the safe visits, hiring new staff to carry on where previous Visitation Hosts are not able.

The new Visitation Hosts will begin their work April 1st. Until that time, we are grateful to three casual Visitation Hosts who are picking up shifts enabling us to offer safe visits to all of the Menno Home units in March.

The Safe Visit program continues with the same protocols and guidelines as it had prior to the outbreak and prior to vaccination. We have not heard that there will be any changes to the program.

You can read about the Safe Visit program here: https://mennoplacelife.com/safe-visits/

Menno Hospital – We are operating the Safe Visit program at capacity with many happy residents eager to visit their loved one. Menno Hospital has been using a microphone/speaker system that enables residents to more easily hear their visitor. This is such a success, we have ordered one for Menno Home as well.

Terrace East – We continue to have one Visitation Host providing Safe Visits for the Assisted Living residents in Terrace East. The demand for these visits does not fill the booking calendar, so there is opportunity for Terrace East visitors to book more visits if you would like.

Vaccination Updates – Menno Place

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Vaccination Updates – Menno Place – February 13, 2021

Menno Hospital – 2nd doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were given to the residents today.

Menno Home – We are expecting that 2nd doses of Pfizer-BioNTech will happen mid-March, but have not received confirmation of the date.

Terrace East – Assisted Living – 2nd doses of Pfizer-BioNTech will be given to residents on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. This is only for residents. Staff and any visitors who were vaccinated will need to book their 2nd dose through the Fraser Health online booking. For 2nd dose information, contact connect@mennoplace.ca

Independent Living – Primrose Gardens, Terrace West, Pavilion

EngAge BC has just received confirmation that independent living residents will receive COVID-19 vaccinations in phase two of the vaccine’s roll out (subject to supply). As such, it is expected that vaccines could begin to roll out in independent living as early as the beginning of March. This timing will coincide with the vaccination of home health employees.

COVID UPDATE – JANUARY 15 – MENNOPLACE

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We are pleased to let you know that the daily updates will now become less frequent as we anticipate coming off droplet precautions and isolation. If there is news, it will be posted and emailed to you at 5am the following day if you subscribe to our Family and Friends Newsletter.

Menno Place staff will begin receiving their 2nd dose vaccination January 18th, 35 days after their 1st dose. Residents to follow.

COVID UPDATE – JANUARY 15, 2021

MENNO HOME

We are working with Fraser Health and the Medical Health Officer to determine the next steps. Great news – Menno Home E1 and Menno Home W2 are off of droplet precautions!

Next steps are to assess whether or not we can take residents in Menno Home E2 off of droplet precaution – and when we can call the outbreak OVER! Once all the residents are off of droplet precautions, we will work to re-start the Safe Visits program. Residents received their 1st dose of BioNTech Vaccine on January 13th. They will receive their 2nd dose 35 days later, around Feb. 19th. Essential visitors (what are the guidelines?) qualify for vaccination. Please contact Garry.Janzen@MennoPlace.ca for instruction if you are an essential visitor.

MENNO HOME E2 – COVID OUTBREAK

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 67 (42 residents in Menno Home E2 & 25 staff Home E2)
PASSED AWAY = Total = 13 residents
RECOVERED RESIDENTS = 27

MENNO HOSPITAL

Safe-Visits continue. Residents received their 1st dose of BioNTech Vaccine on December 31st. They will receive their 2nd dose 35 days later, around February 4th. Essential visitors (what are the guidelines?) qualify for vaccination. Please contact Garry.Janzen@MennoPlace.ca for instruction if you are an essential visitor.

ASSISTED LIVING – TERRACE EAST

Terrace East residents were vaccinated on January 2, 2021. They will receive their 2nd dose 35 days later, around

Essential visitors (what are the guidelines?) qualify for vaccination. Please contact Garry.Janzen@MennoPlace.ca for instruction if you are an essential visitor.

INDEPENDENT LIVING – PRIMROSE GARDENS, TERRACE WEST, PAVILION

Pavilion continues to be on isolation. Isolation will end on January 17th at midnight if there are no further COVID positive cases in the Pavilion.

We continue to anticipate that Independent Living residents will receive vaccination shortly. Please hand in your completed PARIS consents to Reception.

Be prepared for when it is your turn! Follow these steps – CLICK HERE

COVID UPDATE – JANUARY 12 – MENNO HOME, APARTMENT ISOLATION AND COVID-19 VACCINATIONS

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We are sorry to share that a 13th resident has succumbed to COVID in Menno Home E2. Our condolences go out to the family and loved ones of this resident.

COVID UPDATE – JANUARY 12, 2021

Menno Home residents will receive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination on Wednesday, January 13, 2021! Exciting!

MENNO HOME E2 – COVID OUTBREAK

NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 0
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 67 (42 residents in Menno Home E2 & 25 staff Home E2)
PASSED AWAY = Total = 13 residents
RECOVERED RESIDENTS = 27

MENNO HOME W1

Safe visits will begin when all units are taken off of droplet precautions / outbreak.

MENNO HOME W2

No new COVID positive cases. COVID point prevalence testing was done on Jan. 12th.

APARTMENTS ISOLATION

All of Pavilion swab results completed on January 8th are NEGATIVE! The Public Health Officer has now identified the exposure date as January 3rd, so all residents will remain isolated until January 17th at midnight if there are no additional positives.

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS

MENNO HOME – Residents will be vaccinated on Wednesday, January 13th. YAY!!!

INDEPENDENT LIVING – PRIMROSE GARDENS, TERRACE WEST, PAVILION – HAND YOUR COMPLETED PARIS CONSENTS TO RECEPTION. FOLLOW YOUR MEMO. Be prepared for when it is your turn! Follow these steps – CLICK HERE

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CLICK HERE for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines.

COVID Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Efficacy – How effective is the vaccine after one dose? After two doses?

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS – We know that these protocols continue even after vaccination.