Shared Health has recently updated guidance for Manitoba’s health care system regarding the response to this year’s respiratory virus season. The changes aim to enhance protection for those who live in personal care homes, as informed by evidence and the current realities of respiratory virus activity in our community. For many of us, dealing with a seasonal respiratory illness is an inconvenience. It may cause us to miss work, school, and/or social activities. But for populations at higher risk of severe illness, such as the people we support at Actionmarguerite, the effects of any respiratory virus can be severe, causing serious illness, hospitalization and even death.
Manitoba, like other jurisdictions across the country, has begun to plan for a return of some enhanced protections. These precautions treat all respiratory viruses similarly, in recognition of the severe effects that influenza, COVID-19 and other seasonal respiratory illnesses can have on vulnerable populations. This updated guidance means the following changes will begin at Actionmarguerite:
Masking during direct care : Health care workers will now be required to wear a medical grade mask during direct care. Masks are not required in common areas such as elevators, cafeterias, hallways, or nursing stations as well as any area where direct care is not provided. We recognize how important it is to balance the need to protect the people we support and at the same time ensure we provide the best care possible and attend to their overall quality of life.
Masking for general visitors and designated caregivers : For general visitors and designated caregivers, masks are readily available and recommended. As always, it will be clearly indicated when masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are required in the case of an outbreak.
Employees returning to work: Employees who have been away from work due to a respiratory illness will be able to return as soon as they are feeling well (fit for work) and afebrile (without fever without the aid of fever-reducing medication), without consideration of the number of days they have been off.
Reduced isolation period: We are pleased that the new guidelines support a reduced isolation period for most residents.
As always, if you have any questions, please talk to a member of our care team or you may write to us at: info@actionmarguerite.ca.
We trust these measures will assist us in navigating this year’s respiratory illness season. We thank you for your continued efforts and collaboration as these changes come into effect.
Wishing you well,
Micheline St-Hilaire, Chief Executive Officer & the Actionmarguerite team