COVID-19 Update Mar 27, 2020: Response to Welland Outbreak Status

March 27, 2020

(Updated Mar 28): In the interest of being transparent, I am sharing that Seasons presently has two cases of COVID-19 at our Welland location, and we are now in outbreak status. Both residents remain in hospital; we are in regular contact with their families, and our thoughts are with them. Before these were even confirmed cases, in an abundance of caution, we immediately made the decision to isolate all residents. This means residents are receiving daily temperature and wellness checks and all meals to their suites. For further details on the situation at our Welland location, and a message from our CEO, please click here.

Please rest assured that the health and safety of our staff and residents is our greatest priority and we continue to work closely with Public Health.

At the outset of the COVID-19 situation in Canada, Seasons Retirement Communities implemented heightened precautionary protocols in all of our homes. We continue to follow the advice of provincial and federal governments, our sector regulators and local Public Health agencies.

At present, these are the protective measures in place:

• Essential Visitor only protocol which limits visitors to those who have critically ill loved ones.

• Active screening for all staff, essential visitors and vendor partners who enter Seasons including the completion of health screening checklists, taking temperatures and declaring recent travel information. Anyone who is exhibiting symptoms suggestive of flu or COVID-19, or who has been in contact with a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter.

• Residents to remain in place. Residents are not permitted to leave our communities unless it is medically essential. Those who do leave our homes are required to complete the health screening tool upon their return and will be placed in isolation from 72 hours to 14 days.

• Resident health checks. We are conducting daily temperature checks for all residents.

• Enhanced cleaning routines including infection control protocols for increased cleaning of high touch point areas. Hand sanitizer is readily available in key amenity areas and additional information shared with staff and residents on how to personally help prevent the spread of the virus.

• Limiting activities to small groups no more than 5 people with consideration of social distancing; offering one to one or self-directed activities and pausing all group outings.

• Corporate Infection Control Committee (CICC) to plan for every stage of a potential outbreak and to provide regular communication to all stakeholders.

As the COVID-19 situation evolves we may need to add additional protocols. We will continue to advise residents and families of these changes as quickly as possible. Furthermore, we appreciate that these measures have changed the daily life of the residents who live in our homes. We continue to check in with residents and come up with creative ways to safely keep them engaged, connected and having some fun during this time.

Our team members are working diligently to ensure the health and wellbeing of our residents. Thank you to everyone who has shared messages of encouragement and support to our team. Like you, we want our staff to know that they are appreciated for the important work they are doing to keep our residents safe. We implemented a “Thank You Bonus” of an additional 20% to our front line team members’ regular wages, effective March 23, 2020. These bonuses will be paid out for the time period of Seasons’ heightened precautionary protocols around COVID-19.

We know these are complicated times and I understand that you may be worried. Please rest assured that we remain vigilant in our infection control policies and procedures. All decisions are being made with our staff and residents’ best interests in mind.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in Seasons Retirement Communities.

Sincerely,

LeighAnne Voll,
Chief Operating Officer

For additional online resources for COVID-19 you can visit the following sites:

Canada Health
Alberta Health
Alberta Health Services
Public Health Ontario
Retirement Home Regulatory Authority