The HKPR District Health Unit has declared the Golden Plough Lodge (GPL) long-term care home to be in outbreak for a second time following a single staff member testing positive for COVID-19. Ministry of Health guidelines specify that 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 with the initial outbreak, declared over on January 3rd, the positive case was identified through the standard process of testing all staff—increased to weekly as part of previous outbreak management measures. The employee, who most recently attended the facility on Thursday, January 14th, is at home in self-isolation.
“Rigorous infection control continues to be our focus, and staff are working closely with Public Health to ensure stringent preventive measures are in place to keep residents and staff safe,” states GPL Administrator Bill Detlor. “Our thoughts are with our team member currently at home in self-isolation. Contact tracing has been completed and the risk of exposure in the home is considered low, with no other residents or staff demonstrating symptoms. As a precaution, we will again be testing every resident for the virus, and residents will be limited to their quarters to further minimize any opportunity for transmission while the home is considered to be in outbreak.
“We recognize this is distressing news for our residents and families. Staff continue to support residents through this challenging period with enormous compassion and the highest quality of care, and we are optimistic that vaccines will be available to the home in the coming weeks, adding a significant layer of protection to our ongoing defence against this virus.”
Preventive measures in place at the GPL during the COVID-19 pandemic include:
· Twice-daily screening of residents and staff for symptoms;
· Weekly COVID-19 testing of all staff;
· 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 on-set of symptoms, and the implementation of contact precautions for staff;
· Enhanced environmental cleaning protocols;
· Visitor restrictions;
· 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
