Dear Actionmarguerite Families,

We begin today’s update by sharing with you the good news that the last outbreak at Actionmarguerite St. Boniface on unit 4DE is now resolved. Currently, only one outbreak is active at Actionmarguerite St. Vital on the 1^st floor where the number of active cases remains at 2. There is a collective sigh of relief, and yet there is hesitation as we know the situation can change quickly.

The recovery phase is once again underway with the resumption of communal dining, group activities, mass, smudges, and the return of hairdressing services to name a few. Precautions remain in place, such as ensuring physical distancing and practicing thorough and frequent hand hygiene. Residents are also able to leave their units to enjoy common spaces throughout our homes with exceptions in the case of an outbreak.

Short-stay absences (also known as social leaves) are now possible. There are precautions to take while away from Actionmarguerite and we ask that you see a member of our care team to determine the best ways to ensure these outings occur in a safe way.

As you may have heard, changes to the provincial health orders were announced yesterday. While we understand the rationale for the change in the orders, Actionmarguerite will continue to require proof of vaccination for everyone in accordance with our current vaccination policy.

Last week, we expanded visitation to include both designated family caregivers and general visitors. Our visiting pods have also re-opened to unvaccinated visitors. It will be important to have some time to evaluate the effect of these changes before we implement others.  As a reminder, pod visits continue to be available by booking appointments through our reservations team:

• 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

The use of medical masks and eye protection will also be maintained at Actionmarguerite following the lifting of the mask mandate for the public on March 15^th.

As we have done throughout the pandemic, we are committed to a phased approach to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people we support, their families, and members of our workforce. We will review these measures on a regular basis to best respond to the continued presence of COVID-19 in our community and adapt when we can.

We all look forward to the time when requirements and restrictions are no longer required. We are presently in a unique phase of the pandemic which requires us to take a measured and cautionary approach to the lifting of restrictions within Actionmarguerite and work toward a new normal. Please accept our sincere appreciation for your ongoing cooperation, understanding, and patience.

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

As we come to the end of another wave of the pandemic and at a time when there is much pain in our world, we are reminded of Gandhi’s words:

“When I feel hopeless, I remember that throughout

history the paths of trust and love have always triumphed”.

With wishes for peace in us, among us, and in our world,

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