September 14, 2021 – MEMO for Independent Living Residents: Primrose Gardens, Terrace West, Pavilion

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This memo was distributed on September 12, 2021 to residents living in Primrose Gardens, Terrace West and Pavilion

There are 2 COVID positive residents in Terrace East. As a result, new Public Health Orders are in place for Terrace East that include droplet precautions for residents on the 5th and 6th floors (as well as COVID testing) and no social visits or outings for any residents in Terrace East.

One COVID positive resident was returned from Abbotsford Regional Hospital after receiving a COVID swab but BEFORE they received the results. They found out later that they are COVID positive. This created risk for others (residents and staff) to contract COVID.

As a result, we have created a poster that we will put on every apartment door that tells your loved ones who to call if you need to go to hospital or are discharged from hospital. This includes a short visit to the Emergency Room. We can only ensure COVID protocols are in place if we know that you are returning to your home at Menno Apartments.

The risk of getting COVID in the community has now increased as COVID is spreading in Abbotsford. We strongly recommend that you do not go out unless it is essential for you to do so – like seeing your doctor. This includes re-thinking whether or not you will attend church. If others aren’t wearing masks at church, the risk of contracting COVID increases.

If you do go out, wear a mask at all times. Cover your nose and mouth. Stay 6 feet away from others. Sanitize your hands frequently. The medical masks in the foyer are the best safeguard masks for you and are the best protection for those around you as well. Don’t come to the dining room for meals if you don’t feel well. Call Reception to arrange your meal.

It is also mandatory for you to wear a mask within your apartment building and in your apartment suite if you are with someone else. This is an added layer of protection for you from this very contagious Delta variant of COVID. Vaccine is not 100% protection, but it is the BEST protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. There are still fully vaccinated individuals contracting COVID and going to intensive care. Of the fully vaccinated in ICU, the majority of them are over 70 years old. This is still a dangerous illness for the elderly, especially for those who have multiple health issues.

We are pleased to remind you that we have a very high percentage of fully vaccinated residents and staff. We are finding in the Menno Home outbreak that the severity of the symptoms is significantly less for those vaccinated than for the unvaccinated. This is very good news. It reminds us, however, that it is essential to report even the mildest of symptoms to the nursing team or to Reception. See below for list of symptoms.

If you are unvaccinated, your risk of contracting COVID is 11 times greater than the vaccinated. Menno Place residents and staff were vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which is 88% effective against symptomatic disease and 96% effective against hospitalization. We did get our vaccine some time ago, so the efficacy of it has decreased. Use ALL your layers of protection! Get vaccinated if you are able to!

If you have any symptoms (below) that are new to you or getting worse, call 604.587.3936 and book a COVID swab test for yourself at 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford, BC.

If you are unsure if you should be tested, call the Fraser Health Virtual Care Team at 1-800-314-0999 between 10am and 10pm seven days a week to talk about your situation. Be sure to tell the Receptionist (604.851.4000) or myself if you are going for a COVID swab test.

If you have any questions, please call me,

Cheryl Dawes, Manager, Community Enrichment – 604.851.4020

 

Do you have any of these COVID symptoms – even mildly? Get tested!

 

Fever or chills? Cough? Unproductive cough?
Sore throat? 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?  

Poster: