COVID-19 outbreak of two cases at H.J. McFarland home

UPDATE APRIL 20: Outbreak declared over.

APRIL 8: Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has declared an outbreak at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home today, after one resident and one staff member tested positive.

The Whispering Pines unit is under quarantine and all 19 residents have been placed on contact and aerosol precautions.

The outbreak will be in place for a minimum of 10 days, during which time Whispering Pines residents will be closely monitored and re-tested for COVID-19 on a set schedule.

All staff who worked on Whispering Pines during the last week will also be tested for the virus.

An investigation is also underway to determine how the residents contracted the virus. The home will also be reaching out to all residents and their loved ones at the long-term care home to inform them about the outbreak.

To help limit the spread of infection, the long-term care home has implemented several additional safety measures including:

H.J. McFarland is closed to admissions.
General visitors are temporarily prohibited on the affected unit. Residents or their substitute decision maker must identify one designated caregiver or support worker who is permitted to visit for the duration of the outbreak. Visitors must conduct a rapid antigen test and get a negative test result before they may enter the home, and wear appropriate personal protective equipment for the duration of their visit.
All staff members working at the Home along with the residents are being tested and monitored for signs and symptoms.
The care teams are closely monitoring all H.J. McFarland residents to identify potential cases.
Enhanced housekeeping measures are in place including extra cleaning of all high touch surfaces and common areas.
All general visitors, support workers and essential caregivers, regardless of vaccination status, must participate in on-site COVID-19 surveillance testing.