Outbreak in the nursing home

Rob Gibson – – | History: 332326

Photo: Contributed

Interior Health has reported a COVID-19 outbreak in long-term care in the Spring Valley Seniors Community in Kelowna and has suspended all visits.

A press release from IH shows that a resident and employee tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing is ongoing and anyone who is in close contact is given instructions on how to self-isolate and monitor symptoms.

The Spring Valley Seniors Community is a long-term care facility operated by Park Place Seniors Living with 150 publicly funded long-term care beds.

The press release said, “Interior Health will continue to monitor the situation while taking infection control and preventive measures. Outbreak logs are in place to protect the safety of all residents, including a break in all visits.”

Interior Health continues to take steps to protect the health of all employees, caregivers and families in nursing homes. This contains:

  • Ensure that long-term care workers only work in one nursing home (as per the provincial individual order).
  • Monitor all residents for respiratory symptoms and perform COVID-19 tests on those with COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Improved cleaning protocols and COVID-19 visitor guidelines.
  • Vaccination for all residents and employees.

Everyone in all communities should remain vigilant when following the precautions for COVID-19:

  • Stick to your budget bubbles and avoid social gatherings.
  • Stay home if you are sick and get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19.
  • Practice physical distance and use a mask when you can’t.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Avoid unnecessary travel.