NEWS RELEASE
EXTENDICARE KAPUSKASING
****************************
As of 4:00 p.m. on Monday Jan. 25, there has been no change in the number of positive residents or team members at Extendicare Kapuskasing.
The home continues to meet daily with the Porcupine Health Unit, Sensenbrenner Hospital, Ontario Health, our Local Health Integration Network team and the Ministry of Long-Term Care. All parties are working together to protect residents and staff. We continue to have 27 residents with active cases of COVID-19.
All residents continue to isolate in their rooms, where they are being provided with meals and individual care and support. We continue to have three active cases among our care team, all of whom are recovering in self-isolation at home until cleared by Public Health to return to work. Two these staff member cases are now considered resolved.
ONGOING OUTBREAK DEFENCE
Our residents will continue to be screened twice daily for signs or symptoms of COVID-19, as has been our protocol since the onset of the pandemic to ensure any change in health status is identified immediately. We have enhanced infection prevention and control protocols in place and additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements for staff – including full gowns, face shields and masks for all shifts.
We will continue to follow the latest guidance from public health to make sure our response is informed by the latest available evidence, including rigorous testing of both residents and staff so that we can combat the virus effectively.
STAFFING
In addition to the staff added over the weekend, we continue to recruit additional team members in an effort to staff above regular levels and ensure enhanced levels of care for our residents. We have a physician on-site supporting our care team from Sensebrenner hospital.
Working with the LHIN and the Ministry, we have submitted a request through Ontario Health’s Mobile Enhancement & Support Team, based out of Timmins and District Hospital, for additional registered nursing and PSW team members on site, which has been approved. We continue to collaborate with our health system partners and are grateful for their ongoing support.
Our care team is incredibly touched by the outpouring of support from our community during this challenging time. We will continue to keep in close contact with our residents, staff and families until this virus is removed from our home.
**************************
