Dear Actionmarguerite Families,
COVID-19 Update #1 – December 31, 2021 | Actionmarguerite St. Boniface, Actionmarguerite St. Joseph, Actionmarguerite St. Vital
Going forward we will be sending updates regarding all Actionmarguerite sites to our family distribution lists. The intention is to keep everyone informed with the most current information as COVID-19 continues to surge in our community.
A new outbreak was declared at Actionmarguerite St-Vital as communicated earlier today.
The following COVID-19 outbreaks are being contained and managed:
Facility / Program | Unit | Resident Cases | Staff Cases Related to Outbreak |
St. Boniface, 185 Despins | 2AB | 6 | 12 |
4AB | 0 – All swabs returned negative | ||
5C | 4 | ||
St. Vital, 450 River Road | 3rd Floor | 3 | 1 |
St. Joseph, 1149 Leila | Unit 1 | 1 | 5 |
Supportive Housing | |||
· Chez-Nous | No outbreak | ||
· Windsor Park Place | |||
We are ensuring that all residents are monitored twice daily for symptoms. Residents with symptoms are being isolated in their rooms and tested for COVID-19. Other measures in place include:
- Ensuring all residents remain in their rooms, as much as possible
- Suspending communal dining and serving meals with disposable dishes
- Ceasing group activities (including mass and smudges) and offering one-on-one recreation programming
- Suspending admissions
- Daily physician coverage on affected units
The majority of residents who have COVID-19, are exhibiting mild symptoms (such as a sore throat, coughing and body aches). Their vital signs are stable.
Rest assured that a member of our care team will reach out to the resident’s primary contact if the condition of your loved one changes.
Visitation
- All visits have been suspended until further notice at all three (3) personal care homes; Actionmarguerite St. Boniface, St. Vital and St. Joseph’s due to declared outbreaks.
- Exceptions will be made for compassionate or end-of-life reasons.
- Virtual and phone visits remain available and can be scheduled as follows:
- 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
Changes due to staff shortages at all sites
We are experiencing staffing shortages in all departments due to community transmission and the need for staff to isolate. In order to ensure we are providing essential care and services to residents; the following has been implemented:
- Nurses, Physicians/Nurse Practitioners and Pharmacist will be reviewing all medications and treatments to determine which are essential. Non-essential medications will be temporarily stopped to ensure the timely administration of essential medications. The Resident or their primary contact will be notified of any changes that have been made.
- Tub baths and showers will be suspended. Residents will be receiving sponge baths instead.
- Bed linens will be changed only when wet or soiled.
- Beds will be clean however not necessarily made as per usual expectations.
- Resident personal clothing may be worn for more than one day at a time unless wet or soiled prior to sending for laundering.
- Residents may be dressed in a gown to facilitate expedited care delivery.
- Pandemic meal plans will be initiated. This includes the use of disposable dishes and standardized menu items for all residents.
- Housekeeping services have been prioritized for Resident areas and high touch surfaces.
In addition to these measures, we have reached out to the Pandemic Resource Pool for staffing support and to retired employees.
Assistance from families
We are asking Designated Family Caregivers (Essential Visitors) in our personal care homes to provide us with your name and contact information should you be ready and willing to support our efforts if needed (e.g., assistance at mealtime). Please send your name and contact information to our team:
- Actionmarguerite St. Boniface – Nicole Nadeau-Fréchette : nnadeau@actionmarguerite.ca
- Actionmarguerite St. Joseph – Nasrin Sepehri : nsepehri@actionmarguerite.ca
- Actionmarguerite St. Vital – Lise Cloutier : lcloutier@actionmarguerite.ca
We appreciate all who can be on stand-by in the event that we need to call upon your presence.
We thank you for your support and continued understanding as we strive to keep everyone safe. May we all find the strength and courage to traverse these difficult times.
As always, you can reach us at info@actionmarguerite.ca.
On this New Year’s Eve, we pause to wish everyone well.
Micheline St-Hilaire, Chief Executive Officer