Outbreak Update – Friday, October 23, 2020

Today, we were notified that a 2nd Resident has tested positive for Covid-19.  In this case, the Resident recently returned from an acute care site where Covid-19 outbreaks have been declared.  This Resident has been isolated in their room since returning from hospital and staff have been wearing the required PPE.  This Resident will be moved to our Adult Day Program room which was converted into our Covid Unit.   Staff have been dedicated solely to this space to stop the spread of the virus.  Contact tracing is underway.

The Centre continues to manage the Covid-19 outbreak according to Shared Health guidelines and our own internal Covid-19 Pandemic Plan.

Residents on Covid affected care units are being kept in their rooms as much as possible.  Resident meals are being served in their rooms.  Recreation and Spiritual Care will be provided on a one to one basis.  Enhanced cleaning procedures have been put in place.

On other care units, safe distances are kept between Residents during meals.  Recreational and Spiritual Care programs are being held in a modified manner.  Residents that are safely able to tolerate wearing a non-medical mask are wearing facility supplied and laundered non-medical masks.  Enhanced cleaning has been put in place.

We have purchased, received and put into use a UVC disinfecting chamber, a Nocospray fogger and an electrostatic sprayer.  These items will help to clean large areas, surfaces and items to reduce contamination.

Staff are now entering through the front entrance and are being screened.  All staff continue to wear personal protective equipment and practice universal precautions such as hand hygiene.  Staff are provided with safe distanced break spaces.

Please check your email regularly for updates.  Thank you for your support and understanding during this unsettling time.

Our 1st Positive Covid Case

Late yesterday afternoon, we were notified that one of our Residents tested positive for Covid-19.  The affected Resident has been moved to our Adult Day Program space which has been designated as our Covid-19 Isolation Unit.  Dedicated staff will work in this area exclusively to prevent possible spread of the virus.  All families have been notified of the outbreak, both by email and telephone.  All affected staff have been contacted.  All visitation is suspended until further notice.  Exceptions will be made for end of life care situations.  All residents will be required to stay on their home nursing unit and will be monitored for symptoms.  Residents on the affected unit will be taking meals in their room.  All staff are screened prior to their shift and will continue to wear the required personal protective equipment and continue routine practices such as hand hygiene.  Enhanced cleaning practices are in place throughout the Centre.  We are following all Shared Health guidelines and will provide more information as it becomes available.  Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support. 

Important Notice Regarding Visitation

Effective Monday, September 28th – Visitation Update

Manitoba’s Chief Public Health Officer has elevated Winnipeg to the restricted level, Orange.  This public health order is effective Monday, September 28th for at least 4 weeks.

This public health order results in the following changes to visiting at the Simkin Centre:

(1) The 2 designated family care givers may continue to visit in the Resident’s room only.  Residents can no longer be taken downstairs by family members to visit outside.  There may only be 1 visitor in the room at a time during these visits.

(2) Visits for those who previously visited outside cannot be accommodated during this time.

(3) Visits due to end of life care will continue to be supported. 
FaceTime visits can be arranged using our booking app.  https://simkincentre.book.app/book-now

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work together to keep our Residents and staff safe.

We will continue to share updated information as it becomes available.