The COVID-19 outbreak at the Golden Plough Lodge (GPL) has been declared over as of January 3, 2021.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit declared the GPL to be in outbreak on December 21, 2020 following a positive test result in one asymptomatic employee. As per Ministry of Health guidelines, a long-term care facility is considered to be in outbreak once a single case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in a resident or staff member.
As part of outbreak management protocols, all residents and staff have since been tested for the virus. All results have come back negative, confirming there was no transmission within the home.
“I am pleased to share that, through strict infection control practices, the COVID-19 outbreak declared at our facility was contained to one asymptomatic staff member,” states GPL Administrator Bill Detlor. “This is welcome news for our residents, families and staff, and a wonderful way to begin 2021. I want to thank our local Health Unit for their collaboration and support. And I especially want to express my sincere gratitude to our incredible staff, who have demonstrated enormous resilience and dedication to our residents throughout this process and throughout the entire pandemic.”
The GPL will continue with weekly COVID-19 testing of all staff, as well as twice-daily screening of all staff and residents. During the Provincial Lockdown, restrictions remain in place including the suspension of short stay absences along with general visitor restrictions. The GPL is pleased to welcome Essential Caregivers back to the facility starting Wednesday, January 6, 2021, with one Essential Caregiver per resident permitted during lockdown. These individuals must provide proof of a negative COVID test, taken within one week of any visit to the home.
Additional preventative measures, in place at the GPL since the beginning of the pandemic, will also continue, including:
· Mandatory use by staff of appropriate PPE at all times and strict adherence to rigorous hand hygiene practices;
· Cohorting residents in their own Resident Home Area;
· Isolation of any resident who develops the onset of symptoms, and the implementation of contact precautions for staff;
· Enhanced environmental cleaning protocols;
· Quarantine protocols for packages for residents
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
