ACTIONMARGUERITE | COVID-19 Update #19 – February 18, 2022

February 22, 2022

Dear Actionmarguerite Families,

We have supported residents in their recovery from COVID-19 and have found ways to support all who have been through this latest wave of the pandemic. We are deeply grateful to be at a point where most outbreaks are resolved and for the unrelenting commitment of the people of Actionmarguerite, who from the boardroom to the bedside and everyone in between rallied together to respond to the presence of the virus in our midst. Thank you to the people we support and their families for the patience and willingness required to follow the measures that have gotten us here. All sites remain vigilant as the likelihood of further outbreaks is a possibility.

In this update, we are announcing the further opening of visits to both designated family caregivers (essential visitors) and general visitors as of February 22, 2022. Read on to know more…

Outbreak Status

Actionmarguerite St. Boniface

  • Unit 4DE continues to have an active outbreak with a total of three (3) active cases.

Actionmarguerite St. Vital

  • Two (2) residents on one wing of the 1st floor have tested positive for COVID-19. An outbreak has therefore been declared.
  • We have contacted family members of residents who live on the affected wing on the 1st floor and advised them that visits have been suspended until further notice while we assess the situation.
  • Essential visitors are welcome to visit the other wings on the 1st floor at their own risk.

Actionmarguerite St. Joseph

  • The outbreak on Unit 1 has been resolved.

Expanded Visitation as of Tuesday, February 22 at all Actionmarguerite sites

Directives from Shared Health entitled Long-Term Care Resident Visitation Principles have been updated. They provide the long-term care sector guidance on safely proceeding with the expansion of visitation. As COVID-19 continues to circulate, it will be important that we continue to adhere to measures that assist in keeping everyone safe, as best we can.

The changes will be effective Tuesday, February 22 at all Actionmarguerite sites. Our visiting hours remain from 11 am to 7 pm daily.

In-room visits

  • Residents will be able to receive up to two (2) visitors at a time in their room.
  • The visitors can be those identified as essential or general visitors who are fully vaccinated.
  • We are requesting that visitors communicate with one another to reduce the likelihood of being declined entry should there be more than two (2) visitors.
  • Currently, we ask that visits take place in the resident’s room only and not in our communal areas. We will re-evaluate the possibility of reinstituting the visiting stations as time goes by.

 Visitation Pods

Visiting in the pods will resume as follows:

  • Up to two (2) visitors (vaccinated or unvaccinated) can visit in the pods.
  • The visitors and the resident will need to wear a medical mask for the entire visit.
  • A 6 ft/2M distance must be maintained at all times.
  • These visits are by pre-arranged appointment only and can be booked through our reservation team at:
  • Actionmarguerite St. Boniface, 185 Despins: (204) 235-4605 or reservationsb@actionmarguerite.ca
  • Actionmarguerite St. Vital, 450 River: (204) 254-9357 or reservationsv@actionmarguerite.ca
  • Actionmarguerite St. Joseph, 1149 Leila: (204) 914-1952 or reservationsj@actionmarguerite.ca

 Measures in place to keep everyone safe

Note that ALL visitors (essential and general) must continue to adhere to all public health measures, which are:

  • Please ensure that you screen yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 before each visit and do not visit if you have symptoms.
  • Present your vaccination card at each visit. The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) prevents us from keeping a record of a family member’s personal medical information. If you are unvaccinated, a visit can be arranged in the visitation pod.
  • Sign in and out for contact tracing purposes.
  • Wear a medical mask and eye protection provided by Actionmarguerite at all times.
  • Practice thorough and frequent hand hygiene.
  • Maintain a physical distance of 6Ft/2M from others as much as possible.
  • For in-room visits, ensure a distance of 6Ft/2M from the resident if your mask is removed to eat or drink.
  • If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, please notify us immediately. This will allow us to do the necessary follow-ups to prevent the spread of the virus.
  • If you are returning for the first time since the outbreaks, you may wish to view Actionmarguerite’s video on Safe Visitation by clicking on the following link: Safe Visitation Information

Thank you for your cooperation as these are acts of compassion that serve to keep us all safe!

Safe Visitation during an outbreak

With the loosening of restrictions in our community, outbreaks in long-term care are likely to resurge. At Actionmarguerite, we are prepared for this possibility and want to maintain family presence as best we can even on outbreak units.

  • Visiting during an outbreak will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Exceptions will be made at end-of-life.
  • When visiting during an outbreak unit, you will be asked to view the following videos prior to your first visit and acknowledge that you are visiting at your own risk:

Short Stay Absences

Short stay absences away from the facility continue to be suspended. We commit to regularly re-evaluating the possibility of reinstituting them and will keep you informed of upcoming changes as soon as we are able.

As always, please email info@actionmarguerite.ca if you have any questions or concerns.

We are all reminded of the impacts that this wave has had on us as individuals and as a collective. At Actionmarguerite we are reminded of the toll it has taken and that we commit to:

Taking responsibility for the energy we bring into this space. Our words matter. Our behaviours matter. Our residents, families, and our care teams matter. May we bring in an energy that is conducive to being there for one another.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to welcoming visitors once again. As things can change quickly, we will keep you informed should the need arise to adapt the visitation in the event of other outbreaks.

With warm regards,

Micheline St-Hilaire, Chief Executive Officer & the entire Actionmarguerite Team