An employee of Northumberland County’s Golden Plough Lodge (GPL) long-term care home has tested positive for COVID-19. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit has declared the GPL to be in outbreak due to the positive test result. 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.
“We recognize that such news is distressing for our residents, families and staff. Keeping residents and staff safe and healthy continues to be our primary focus, and we remain vigilant in our efforts to keep this virus from circulating in the home,” states Administrator Bill Detlor. “Over 95 per cent of our residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, delivering a robust layer of protection against the virus. In addition, all consenting staff have received their first dose of the vaccination. In coordination with public health, we will also be implementing outbreak management protocols including isolating residents in their quarters during the outbreak period in order to minimize any risk, and every resident will be tested. Our thoughts go out to the employee, who is currently at home in self-isolation. We wish them a speedy recovery.”
GPL staff have followed strict infection control measures throughout the pandemic, including thorough hand hygiene practices, enhanced cleaning protocols, mandatory use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, and twice-daily screening. Residents are also actively screened and monitored throughout each day to ensure immediate symptom identification, isolation, testing and contact tracing in coordination with the Health Unit.
During the outbreak period, staff will be tested twice-weekly using the diagnostic PCR nasal swab method. Once out of outbreak, the home will return to three times weekly rapid antigen testing of staff, in alignment with Ministry protocols.
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
