Suspected COVID-19 Outbreak Declared at Rockwood Terrace

Update July 19, 4:00 PM - 

Today, we are pleased to report that Grey Bruce Public Health has declared the COVID-19 outbreak at Rockwood Terrace on Third Floor over. We would like to thank Grey Bruce Public Health for their assistance in managing the outbreak. The teamwork at Rockwood Terrace has been remarkable, and I thank you all for your dedication and commitment as we managed the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 57 staff were swabbed and all results came back negative. Additionally, three residents remained asymptomatic throughout the outbreak.

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 and Designated Care Partners.
• Visiting has now resumed on all home areas 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).

As a reminder, please do not visit the home if you are feeling unwell. Continue to follow the 3 Ws: Wash your hands frequently; Watch your distance (ideally 6 feet); and, Wear masks correctly. If you require additional information, please contact the home at 519-369-6035.

Update July 15, 12:30 PM -  Thank you for your continued support and patience as we manage the outbreak. There are no new resident or staff cases to report. All test results from July 13th & 14th have returned negative. Public Health is involved in all the outbreak meetings, and have completed an onsite infection prevention and control (IPAC) audit, and are pleased with all the measures in place.

We have the following information to share:

• 3 active residents cases; 0 resolved
  • Positive resident cases are cohorted in the auditorium and dedicated staff are supporting and providing care.
  • High risk close contacts are isolating in their rooms.
• 1 active staff case (not related to the outbreak)
• 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.
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices. 
• Cohort dining procedures.
• All third floor social and group activities are suspended.
• All staff are wearing N95 mask, eye protection, and additional PPE as required on the affected home area.
• General visits have been suspended for 3rd floor.
• Designated Care Partner visits are limited to one (1) visitor per resident on 3rd floor.
• HEPA filter units have been strategically placed on both home areas to maximize air quality.

As a reminder, please do not visit the home if you are feeling unwell. Continue to follow the 3 Ws: Wash your hands frequently; Watch your distance (ideally 6 feet); and, Wear masks correctly. If you require additional information, please contact the home at 519-369-6035.

Update July 11, 12:30 PM
 

we have received confirmation from Grey Bruce Public Health that the third floor of Rockwood Terrace is in a confirmed COVID-19 Outbreak.  There are currently 3 positive resident cases, and 1 positive staff, (it has been determined that the staff case is not associated to the outbreak). All residents on third floor will be PCR tested today.

As part of Rockwood Terrace's pandemic plan, the team will be utilizing the auditorium as a COVID-19 unit. COVID-19 positive residents will be moving to the auditorium once the necessary changes have been implemented. There will be dedicated staff assigned to supporting the care for the residents of this unit. This is a strategic effort to contain the spread and minimize the isolation time for residents that are not positive or symptomatic.

Enhanced infection control protocols are in place, and we are working closely with our Public Health partners. The safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff continues to be our highest priority.

The following steps are in place:

• Enhanced monitoring for new symptoms in all residents and staff in the outbreak area, including twice a day screening with temperature checks for 2nd and 3rd floor residents.
• Weekly infection prevention and control audits, and additional Hand Hygiene Audits have been implemented.
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices. 
• Cohort dining procedures have been implemented.
• High risk close contacts are isolating in their rooms, in room meal service has been implemented.
• All third floor social and group activities have been suspended.
• All staff are wearing N95 mask, eye protection, and additional PPE as required on the affected home area.
• General visits have been suspended for 3rd floor.
• Designated Care Partner visits are limited to one (1) visitor per resident on 3rd floor.
• HEPA filter units have been strategically placed on both home areas to maximize air quality.

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

Public Health has placed the Third floor of Rockwood Terrace in a suspect COVID-19 Outbreak. There is currently 1 confirmed resident PCR test. As part of our COVID-19 protocols, residents are tested on Day 5 post leave of absence. This routine testing helps with early identification, particularly if no symptoms are present, and the ability to put additional infection prevention and control practices in place.

The current COVID-19 protocol requires we place all residents identified as “high risk contacts” (roommates, table mates, and close social groups) in isolation for 5 days and are to be tested for COVID on day 5, unless symptoms present. In addition, public health has advised general visits are suspended for those in isolation, Designated Care Partners (DCPs) may continue to visit.

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:

• All staff are wearing N95 mask, eye protection, and additional PPE as required on the affected home area.
• Designated Care Partner visits are limited to one (1) visitor per resident in isolation.
• Additional Hand Hygiene Audits have been implemented.
• HEPA filter units have been strategically placed on both home areas to maximize air quality.

Thank you for your continued patience. Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has indicated we are in a seventh wave of COVID-19. Please do not visit the home if you are feeling unwell. If you require additional information, please contact the home at 519-369-6035.

Please continue to follow the 3 Ws: Wash your hands frequently; Watch your distance (ideally 6 feet); and, Wear masks correctly.

Stay well.
 
Jennifer Cornell
Director of Long-Term Care