COVID-19 Outbreak at Grey Gables Declared Over

Update: January 22, 2022

we are pleased to report that Grey Bruce Public Health has declared the COVID-19 Outbreak over at Grey Gables. We would like to thank Grey Bruce Public Health for their assistance in managing the outbreak. It has been a challenging few weeks for residents, families, staff and the community. Your tireless efforts to ensure the safety of our residents has been remarkable and I thank you for your dedication and commitment. 

Community transmission and the increase in cases locally is concerning. Our focus continues to be the safety of our residents, families, and staff. As an added precaution, we are slowly de-escalating the outbreak measures at the home. 

Current measures:

• Daily Hand Hygiene Audits
• Daily Rapid Antigen Testing for all staff, students, support workers, volunteers, and Designated Care Partners.
• Staff and Designated Care Partners will continue to wear N95 Masks and additional PPE as required.
• Designated Care Partners remain limited to one (1) DCP per resident visit.
• Staff are cohorted to designated wings.
• Leadership team will provide 7 day support on site for the next two weeks.
• Cohorted small group programs (limited to 10)
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended

De-escalating measures:

• Hairdressing will re-open (max of 2 cohorted residents in salon).
• Resume admissions.
• Clinical staff will start administering 4th dose booster to consented residents.

The teamwork has been amazing, and we are truly blessed. We also acknowledge our healthcare partners for offering their assistance and providing additional resources. Together, we worked to ensure our residents continued to receive high quality care.

Update: January 21, 2022

We are happy to report that the symptomatic resident's PCR test result has returned negative for COVID-19. There is one resident PCR test result that is still pending from January 20th.

Below is a summary of the current outbreak situation:

• There are no resident cases.
• There are no new staff cases.
• There are 5 active staff cases, 8 resolved.
• Residents are cohorted to their home area. 
• Residents are dining on their home area.
• Staff and Designated Care Partners continue to wear N95 with face shield.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit and will be provided additional PPE upon arrival.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended

Updated: January 20, 2022

We have not received any new test results, however one resident is experiencing symptoms; PCR test result pending.

Below is a summary of the current outbreak situation:

• There are no resident cases.
• One resident is experiencing symptoms; result pending.
• There are no new staff cases.
• There are 6 active staff cases, 7 resolved.
• Residents are cohorted to their home area. 
• Residents are dining on their home area.
• Staff and Designated Care Partners continue to wear N95 with face shield.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit and will be provided additional PPE upon arrival.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended

Staffing levels remain stable due to the dedication and commitment of the Grey Gables team. I would also like to acknowledge our Registered Nurses. The team worked collaboratively on creating a temporary schedule that modifies their current 8 hour shift to 12 hours to assist with staffing levels.

Updated: January 19, 2022

We are pleased to report one more staff case is resolved in our update today. We extend our sincere thanks to all residents, DCPs and staff who have been so diligent with all infection prevention and control measures.  

Below is a summary of the current outbreak situation:

• There are no resident cases and no residents with symptoms.
• There are no new staff cases.
• There are 7 active staff cases, 6 resolved.
• We have not received any new lab test results.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit and will be provided additional PPE upon arrival.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended.

Updated: January 18, 2022

Since our last update we have not received any new lab test results. Rapid and PCR testing continues in the home to help us quickly identify and manage new cases of COVID-19 in residents or staff.

Below is a summary of the current outbreak situation:

• There are no resident cases and no residents with symptoms.
• There are no new staff cases.
• There are 8 active staff cases, 5 resolved.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit and will be provided additional PPE upon arrival.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended

Updated: January 16, 2022

We have not received any new resident PCR test results since our last update. However, we have received 3 staff test results which have returned positive and the staff members are self isolating.

In summary, the situation today is:

• There are no resident cases and no residents with symptoms.
• Currently 7 active staff cases with 1 resolved.
• January 13th resident test results for Valley View and Pine Ridge are pending. 
• January 9th & 13th staff results are still pending.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit and will be provided additional PPE upon arrival.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended

COVID-19 numbers remain high in the community and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted as you are eligible. Also, don’t forget the 3 Ws: Wash your hands frequently; Watch your distance (ideally 6 feet); and, Wear masks correctly.

Updated: January 15, 2022

Today we have the following information to share.

• There are no resident cases.
• There are no new staff cases; currently 4 active staff cases with 1 resolved.
• January 13th resident test results; Maple Lane residents have all returned negative. Valley View and Pine Ridge are pending. 
• January 9th & 13th staff results are still pending.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit and will be provided additional PPE upon arrival.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended

Update: January 12, 2022

We have received results from the January 9th and 10th PCR testing. Resident PCR tests have returned negative with 1 test result pending.  Staff results received have returned negative with the exception of the two positive staff cases reported yesterday. 60% of staff results are still pending.  Testing continues in the home to help us quickly identify and manage new cases of COVID-19 in residents or staff.

Today we have the following information to share.

• There are no resident cases and no residents with symptoms.
• There are no new staff cases; currently 5 active staff cases with 2 resolved.
• All residents and staff will be PCR tested over the next two days.
• Public Health IPAC Nurse visited the home on January 12th and reviewed all IPAC measures with positive and supportive feedback.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit and will be provided additional PPE upon arrival.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended.

Staffing remains at a stable level thanks to the ongoing dedication of our caring Grey Gables team. We appreciate everyone who is stepping up and taking extra shifts to ensure our residents continue to receive high quality care. We have recruited additional team members to support our housekeeping and dietary departments. Thank you to Grey County EMS for assisting with today's surveillance testing for residents and staff.

Update: Januar 12, 2022

Testing continues in the home to help us quickly identify and manage new cases of COVID-19.

Today we have the following information to share:

• There are no resident cases and no residents with symptoms.
• There are two new staff cases; currently 7 active staff cases.
• January 9th & 10th test results are still pending.
• All residents and staff will be PCR tested on January 13th and 14th.
• Staffing levels remain stable. 
• All residents continue to receive in room meal service.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended.

Update: January 11, 2022

Testing continues in the home to help us quickly identify and manage new cases of COVID-19. Enhanced infection prevention & control measures are in place.

Today we have the following information to share.

• There are no resident cases and no residents with symptoms.
• No new staff cases; currently five active staff cases and they continue to self isolate. 
• All residents were PCR tested on January 9th; results pending.
• All staff were PCR tested on January 9th and 10th; results pending.
• Daily outbreak meetings are held with Public Health, our Medical Director, Director of Long Term Care, Clinical Specialist and the leadership team to review plans and infection prevention and control measures.
• Staffing levels remain stable and the leadership team is on site 7 days a week to provide support.
• All residents continue to receive in room meal service.
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended.

The safety and wellbeing of our residents and our staff remains our priority. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We promise to keep you informed as we work to contain the outbreak.

Public Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Grey Gables and the home is now operating in outbreak protocols. There are no resident cases. Five staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 and they are self isolating. Enhanced infection prevention & control measures are in place.

The following responses are now in motion:

• Residents are isolating in their rooms and in room meal service is being provided.
• All residents and staff are being PCR tested; results pending
• Staff are wearing N95 masks. 
• Designated Care Partners are reduced to one (1) DCP per resident visit.
• All general visits (indoor, outdoor and window) are suspended.

We continue to work closely with our partners at public health and the safety and wellbeing of our residents and our staff remains our priority.