Staff at Hallowell House, Hastings Manor test positive for COVID-19
Administrator | Apr 02, 2020 | Comments 2
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) received confirmation that staff members from two local long-term care homes have tested positive for COVID-19.
At this time, only two staff members at Hastings Manor and one staff member at Hallowell House have been confirmed as positive cases. These individuals, as well as close contacts, are self-isolating at home.
HPEPH does not typically release statements about these situations until the employer has had the opportunity to notify their staff and provide their own statement. However, HPEPH is legally required to post notice of outbreaks in local long-term care homes and retirement homes.
This is done on the HPEPH Facility Outbreaks page. As the Ministry of Health has declared that even a single case of COVID-19 in a long-term care or retirement home is considered an outbreak, any and all occurrences of COVID-19 in a long-term care home will be included in the facility outbreaks notices.
In the interest of transparency, HPEPH is making the public aware of these initial COVID-19 outbreaks as this information will become public knowledge as part of regular outbreak updates.
Outbreak control measures have been instituted at both facilities and all staff members have been asked to self-monitor for symptoms.
Staff have undertaken enhanced cleaning of the home, including extra housekeeping staff to do more frequent cleaning, especially for high touch areas such as doorknobs, handrails, common areas, staff rooms and seating areas.
“Public Health is working closely with both Hastings Manor and Hallowell House, and have contacted individuals who were identified as close contacts,” says Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health. “This reinforces the reality of COVID-19 in our community and I urge individuals to do everything they can to prevent its spread, recognizing that many are at higher risk from the virus. Stay home, avoid contact with vulnerable individuals, practise physical distancing and wash your hands frequently.”
Lab-confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 are provided with the same requirement – to self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days, including from others in your home – monitor symptoms, keep HPEPH informed of any changes in health or symptoms, and wear a mask if you must leave home to seek medical attention.
Visit the HPEPH website, hpePublicHealth.ca for current information and answers to many questions about COVID-19.
Individuals who still have questions after reviewing web content can call the COVID-19 information line at 613-966-5500, Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm and weekends from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Filed Under: Local News
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Sherry – what your family member experienced is inexcusable and totally wrong. If this can happen to a staff member, I can only imagine what little information was being shared with the residents and their families. I hope that you contacted the Public Health Dept and the municipality – this requires a full investigation and immediate corrective action. This unprofessional approach to their job could very well cause many residents and staff their life. Look at what has happened in a similar facility in Bobcaygeon. Thanks for sharing your story with the community.
Sadly this report is not accurate. I have a family member that works at Hallowell House and they were on days off when the person tested positive. My family member was NOT contacted by management of Hallowell house or by and member of Hastings and Prince Edward Health. My family member found out by other family members reading about it in a paper or online and received calls and texts.
When my family member contacted Hallowell House to get more information and to ask why no one had called to warn what type of conditions this employee would be walking into on the next shift, the response was “Don’t you read the paper?” I have very little faith that everyone is being contacted as they should be, including resident families as they should all be made aware of the situation from a senior manager from Hallowell House. They shouldn’t read about it in a paper or online and neither should an employee