Two employees of Northumberland County’s Golden Plough Lodge (GPL) long-term care home have tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit has declared the GPL to be in outbreak.
“Our infection control team has moved swiftly into action, implementing outbreak management protocols to minimize any opportunity for transmission of this virus within the home,” states Administrator Bill Detlor. “We are taking every precaution to keep residents and staff safe during this outbreak, and we will continue to be vigilant in following ministry directives and infection control practices we know to be effective in defence against COVID-19.”
Rigorous infection prevention measures that have been in place in the home throughout the pandemic include:
· Thorough hand hygiene practices;
· Enhanced cleaning protocols;
· Mandatory use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) by staff at all times;
· Cohorting of residents and staff;
· Daily screening of residents, as well as monitoring throughout each day to ensure immediate symptom identification, isolation, testing and contact tracing in coordination with the Health Unit.
All residents and staff will be tested for COVID-19 using the diagnostic PCR nasal swab method, with repeat tests performed on December 31/January 1. Once out of outbreak, the home will return to twice weekly rapid antigen testing of staff, in alignment with Ministry protocols.
Going forward, COVID-19 outbreak notifications for the Golden Plough Lodge will be available exclusively through the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit dashboard reporting under the ‘Outbreaks’ tab at bit.ly/3EngkSM.
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
