For those who are interested in learning what our local public long-term care homes are doing to defend against COVID-19, Grey County has laid out its protocols.
After an outbreak in a private home reported this week, Bayshore Broadcasting reached out to the County to learn what public homes would do.
There are no reported outbreaks in County homes as of April 3rd.
Grey operates three long term care homes; Grey Gables, Lee Manor and Rockwood Terrace.
The County's Long Term Care Department says the homes follow Ministry and Public Health Guidelines during outbreaks.
They say a COVID-19 outbreak is declared as soon as the first resident or staff member tests positive.
At that point, the entire home is considered in outbreak. The County notes, this is different than an Enteric or Respiratory outbreak where homes can isolate just the wing or floor that is affected.
The County says residents and staff would be checked for symptoms of illness, including having their temperature taken and recorded twice daily.
They say as soon as a resident shows any COVID-19 symptoms, they would be isolated.
Meanwhile, any staff member who cared for that resident would be sent home to self isolate while the home waits test results. Until confirmation of COVID-19 diagnosis, staff who care for a suspected case use personal protective equipment precautions.
If a staff member becomes symptomatic, they are not to report for work. It they are at work, they're to leave immediately and Public Health is contacted to arrange for screening and testing if warranted.
The County says the home works with Public Health to trace the people who had close contact with the resident or staff member. Identified people are then directed to self isolate as well.
Some other steps would include:
Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures have already been increased and would continue
Communicating to all departments in the home that it is in outbreak
Communicating to area long-term care homes that the home has a positive case (this alerts staff working in multiple locations)
Publication of the outbreak on Grey.ca, Public Health's website and a newsletter would be sent to subscribers (including Bayshore Broadcasting)
If possible, a resident with COVID-19 would be moved to a private room, if not able, the home would isolate both residents.
All residents on all floors would be isolated. Designated staff are scheduled to work in the affected area to reduce spread.
Residents would receive meals in rooms
Increased staffing for all departments
The county also says positive cases must have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart before they are considered all clear.
An outbreak would be considered over when there are no new cases in residents or staff after 14 days from putting the last case into isolation.