Lee Manor COVID-19 Outbreak Declared on 2nd Floor South

Update October 6, 2022

Grey Bruce Public Health has declared the Lee Manor 1st Floor South COVID-19 outbreak over. We would like to thank Grey Bruce Public Health for their assistance in managing the outbreak. The team at Lee Manor continues their dedication and commitment with managing the COVID-19 outbreak on 2nd Floor South. 

We continue to focus on the safety of our residents, families, and staff. Infection prevention and control measures remain in place. As a precaution, we will continue with the following protocols:

• Hand hygiene audits
• Daily rapid antigen testing for all staff, students, support workers, volunteers, Designated Care Partners and indoor visitors.

Visiting has now resumed on 1st Floor South for Designated Care Partners and for general visitors who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on all home areas (max of 4). Unvaccinated visitors are required to wear N95 masks when visiting. The most appropriate size will be provided by the home. Visiting on 2nd Floor South will still be limited to one DCP visitor per resident and DCPs are required to wear N95 masks and eye protection which will be provided upon arrival.

Please do not visit the home if you are feeling unwell. As a reminder, continue to follow the 3 Ws: Wash your hands frequently; Watch your distance (ideally 6 feet); and Wear masks correctly.  

Update September 21

Public Health declared a COVID-19 outbreak on 1st floor at Lee Manor. Three residents have tested positive, and 1st Floor South in now operating in outbreak protocols.

We continue to manage the 2nd floor south outbreak separately from the outbreak on the 1st floor to help prevent spread between home areas.  We are dealing with a highly transmissible variant or variants of the virus and we continue to work closely with our partners in Public Health to manage the outbreaks. Staffing levels continue to be a challenge and we’re so grateful for all team members who are going above and beyond. With staffing challenges, Designated Care Partners might consider visiting over a meal time where they can support their loved one.

In addition we have the following details to share:

• Enhanced monitoring for new symptoms in all residents and staff in the outbreak areas.
• Designated Care Partner (DCP) visits are limited to one visitor per resident for 1st floor south and 2nd floor south.
• DCPs are required to wear N95 masks and eye protection which will be provided upon arrival.
• All general visits to both 1st floor south and 2nd floor south are suspended.
• All staff are wearing N95 masks and eye protection on the home areas in outbreak.
• Residents are being encouraged to wear masks as tolerated.
• HEPA filter units have been strategically placed on the home areas to maximize air quality.
• Weekly infection prevention and control audits, and additional Hand Hygiene Audits.
• Outbreak management meetings are being held daily.

1st Floor South Information

• 3 active resident cases; 0 resolved
• 1 active staff case; 0 resolved (Public Health is currently reviewing case, to determine if it is linked to outbreak).
• Residents who tested positive and high risk contacts are isolating, and in room meal service is being provided. 
• All residents on 1 south will be PCR tested today.

2nd Floor South Information

• 14 active resident cases; 0 resolved
• 1 active staff case; 0 resolved (Public Health is currently reviewing case, to determine if it is linked to outbreak).
• Currently, all residents are isolating and in room meal service is being provided. The clinical teams are exploring options for cohort dining.

Please continue to follow the 3 Ws: Wash your hands frequently; Watch your distance (ideally 6 feet); and, Wear masks correctly.  We will continue to provide outbreak updates on Tuesday and Friday, or when there is a significant change. Please do not visit the home if you are feeling unwell. If you require additional information, please contact the home at 519-376-4420.

Update September 20 

Test results have identified an additional 2 resident cases on 2 South. There is one new staff case, and Public Health is currently reviewing the case to determine if it is linked to the outbreak. The Medical Director has been onsite, and is monitoring the residents closely. Second round of resident PCR surveillance testing is being completed today. Enhanced infection control protocols are in place as we take swift action to halt the spread of the virus.  

Today, we have the following to share:

• 9 active resident cases; 0 resolved
• Enhanced monitoring for new symptoms in all residents and staff in the outbreak area.
• Weekly infection prevention and control audits, and additional Hand Hygiene Audits.
• All residents are isolating and in room meal service is being provided.
• With staffing challenges, Designated Care Partners might consider visiting over a meal time where they can support their loved one.
• All staff are wearing N95 masks, eye protection and additional PPE as required on the affected home area.
• Designated Care Partner visits are limited to one (1) visitor per resident on 2 South.
• General visits are suspended for 2 South.
• HEPA filter units have been strategically placed on the home area to maximize air quality.

Public health has shared the following with our home as we work through the outbreak. 

1. COVID-19 is circulating at higher levels in the community right now than in previous months.  Social outings and activities are more common than before and this may mean there are more opportunities for exposure for residents and staff. 
2. Milder infections seen with some Omicron variants may mean residents and staff are positive and shedding the virus many days before it can be detected. 

In relation to milder infections, it has been Public Health's experience with recent homes in outbreak that they continue to see many asymptomatic positive residents. Although evidence is still emerging, at this time it is believed that BA.5 is less severe than previous sub variants, despite its increased transmissibility.

Update September 16

We have received results from the September 15th testing, which has identified 5 new resident cases on the 2 South home area. Testing continues as we work to quickly identify any new cases of COVID-19 in our residents and staff.

We are working closely with our Public Health partners, and the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff is our highest priority. The Medical Director has been onsite, and is working closely with our clinical team. Enhanced infection control protocols are in place as we take swift action to halt the spread of the virus.  

Today, we have the following to share:

• 7 active resident cases; 0 resolved
• Enhanced monitoring for new symptoms in all residents and staff in the outbreak area.
• Weekly infection prevention and control audits, and additional Hand Hygiene Audits.
• All residents are isolating and in room meal service is being provided.
• All staff are wearing N95 masks, eye protection and additional PPE as required on the affected home area.
• Designated Care Partner visits are limited to one (1) visitor per resident on 2 South.
• General visits are suspended for 2 South.
• HEPA filter units have been strategically placed on the home area to maximize air quality.

Please continue to follow the 3 Ws: Wash your hands frequently; Watch your distance (ideally 6 feet); and, Wear masks correctly.  We will continue to provide outbreak updates on Tuesday and Friday, or when there is a significant change. Please do not visit the home if you are feeling unwell. If you require additional information, please contact the home at 519-376-4420.

Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak on the 2 South home area. There are currently 2 confirmed resident cases. 

Enhanced infection control protocols are in place as we take swift action to halt the spread of the virus.  We are working closely with our Public Health partners, and the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff is our highest priority. 

In response, we are taking the following steps:

• Enhanced monitoring for new symptoms in all residents and staff in the outbreak area.
• Weekly infection prevention and control audits, and additional Hand Hygiene Audits.
• All residents are isolating and in room meal service is being provided.
• All staff are wearing N95 masks, eye protection and additional PPE as required on the affected home area.
• Designated Care Partner visits are limited to one (1) visitor per resident on 2 South.
• General visits are suspended for 2 South.
• HEPA filter units have been strategically placed on both home areas to maximize air quality.

Please continue to follow the 3 Ws: Wash your hands frequently; Watch your distance (ideally 6 feet); and, Wear masks correctly. Thank you for your continued patience. Please do not visit the home if you are feeling unwell. If you require additional information, please contact the home at 519-376-4420.