COVID-19 cases among staff at H.J. McFarland declared over

UPDATE: JAN. 20 – Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has declared over the outbreak of COVID-19 among staff at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home.

JAN. 12- There have been seven lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home as of Wednesday, Jan. 12. Four cases have been resolved; three remain active.

The municipality reports there are no cases among residents but the home continues to monitor for symptoms and test residents who Hastings Prince Edward Public Health considers to be high-risk exposures.

Staff have been administering a fourth booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to residents. To date, 97 per cent of residents have received this booster dose.

Small group programing and communal dining continues in designated dining rooms. Residents remain in cohorts by unit as an extra precaution.

The municipality notes that while health care staff shortages are a constant reality, H.J. McFarland team members have filled in for colleagues who are required to isolate. In addition, the municipality has redirected staff resources where appropriate to the home from municipal buildings that are closed due to provincial directives.

Under provincial regulations, only essential visitors and caregivers are permitted to visit the home at this time.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health reports continuing outbreaks at Hallowell House, Picton; McFarland’s Whispering Pines Unit, Trent Valley Lodge in Trenton, E.J. McQuigge in Belleville, Quinte Health Care Quinte 6 and Sills 3; Hastings Centennial Manor in Bancroft, Arabella in Belleville, Hastings Manor (Spruce and Beech units); Westgate Lodge, Belmont in Belleville, Quinte Gardens, Caressant Care in Marmora.

UPDATE JAN 5: There are five lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home, as of Tuesday, Jan. 4.

The municipality reports the staff contracted COVID-19 through community spread and not through contacts at the home. They have not been inside the home for several days. The home is in contact with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health to identify possible contacts.

With the constant testing of staff and caregivers, and the confirmation that those staff with COVID-19 did not bring it into the home, residents are no longer required to be isolated in their rooms. Small group programing and communal dining have resumed, with residents remaining in cohorts by unit.

While health-care staff shortages are a constant reality, H.J. McFarland team members have filled in for colleagues required to isolate. In addition, the municipality has redirected staff resources where appropriate from municipal buildings that are closed due to provincial directives.

Under provincial regulations, only essential visitors and caregivers are permitted to visit the home at this time. Essential visitors are people who meet an essential need of residents that could not be adequately met if the person does not visit the home.

Essential visitors and caregivers must also provide a negative COVID-19 test upon entry to the home, unless they had a negative test the day before; provide proof of COVID-19 fully vaccinated status, unless they have a valid medical exemption or are attending to a resident in a palliative end-of-life situation.

Caregivers were required to have a first dose by Dec. 20, 2021 and all required doses to be considered fully vaccinated by Feb. 21, 2022. In the interim, designated caregivers who are not fully vaccinated would need to restrict their visit to the resident’s room.

A respiratory (COVID-19) outbreak at Hallowell House in Picton, declared Dec. 22, continues. The rhinovirus outbreak in early December was declared over Dec. 23.

Outbreaks continue at Westgate Lodge in Belleville, Trent Valley Lodge in Trenton, QHC ER in Belleville (staff only); the Belmont and Quinte Gardens in Belleville, and Caressant Care in Marmora.

UPDATE: There are three lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff at the home. The staff members are said to have contracted COVID-19 through community spread.

UPDATE DEC 24:  A staff outbreak of COVID-19 is suspected at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home.

There has been one lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 in a staff member at the home. Another staff member has received a positive rapid antigen test and is awaiting confirmation from a PCR test.

H.J. McFarland has strong reason to believe that the staff members contracted COVID-19 through community spread and not through contacts at the home. The staff members who have received positive tests have not been inside the home for several days.

The home is working with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health to identify any possible contacts and following provincial guidance for responding to COVID-19 in long-term care homes.

H.J. McFarland Home had already implemented the visiting restrictions that are required during a suspected outbreak. Enhanced screening and testing procedures already in place will continue.

At this time, only essential visitors and caregivers are permitted to visit the Home. Under provincial regulations, essential visitors are people who meet an essential need of residents that could not be adequately met if the person does not visit the home. A caregiver is a type of essential visitor who provides direct care to meet the essential needs of a resident. Visit the Government of Ontario website for more information about essential visitors and caregivers.

Essential visitors and caregivers must register with H.J. McFarland Memorial Home in advance of a visit. Essential visitors and caregivers must also meet the following requirements:
– Provide a negative COVID-19 test upon entry to the home, unless they had a negative test the day before.
– Provide proof of COVID-19 fully vaccinated status, unless they have a valid medical exemption or are attending to a resident in a palliative end-of-life situation. Caregivers will be required to have had a first dose by Dec. 20, 2021 and all required doses to be considered fully vaccinated by Feb. 21, 2022. In the interim, designated caregivers who are not fully vaccinated would need to restrict their visit to the resident’s room.

The health and safety of all staff and resident is the top priority for H.J. McFarland Memorial Home. Should you have any questions or concerns, contact 613.476.2138.

Respiratory outbreak at HJ McFarland not COVID-19 related; essential visitors only

UPDATE: Effective Friday, Dec. 24, the McFarland Home will only allow essential visitors and caregivers to visit. Under provincial regulations, essential visitors are people who meet an essential need of residents that could not be adequately met if the person does not visit the Home. A caregiver is a type of essential visitor who provides direct care to meet the essential needs of a resident.

If you have not been previously identified as an essential visitor or caregiver for a resident, please contact H.J. McFarland Memorial Home in advance by calling 613.476.2138.

A different coronavirus than the one responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic has been identified as the cause of the current facility-wide respiratory outbreak at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home, declared Dec. 17.

There are many different types of coronaviruses. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, better known as COVID-19, is not responsible for the outbreak at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home.

Residents affected are experiencing mild symptoms. These residents are in isolation.
Although family and friends of residents and other guests can still visit H.J. McFarland Memorial Home during the outbreak, administration request you visit at another time in order to prevent further spread of the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a cold or fever should avoid visiting the home during the respiratory outbreak, if possible.

A respiratory (Rhinovirus) outbreak at Hallowell House nursing home declared Dec. 6 continues. A respiratory outbreak at Maple Manor in Belleville declared Dec. 3 was declared over Dec. 19. It was also Rhinovirus and respiratory (coronavirus, not related to COVID-19).