By Pepper Parr
August 27th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We recently published a report on the return of the Covid19 virus.
We are getting information now that the return is dangerously high at some of the Long Term Care Centre’s (LTC)
The COVID protocols have been relaxed in the past several months in LTC province-wide when virus reports decreased.
COVID19 has returned to the LTC and retirement homes in disturbingly high numbers. We now have community with almost no masking, and free test kits are not easy to come by, there is the sense in the minds of many that COVID is over despite the science showing it isn’t. It is not surprising that this will hit LTC and retirement homes first and hard again.
On Wednesday August 23 we got notice that there is a COVID outbreak declared by Public Health:
2nd floor of the West building Tansley Towers – 3 cases and a suspected outbreak on first floor of East building (they did not say numbers for that one). Considering the data we got later, I suspect it was one case.
So a total of 4.
The two towers at Tansley Woods
Thursday August 24: the number was 15 cases total, with multiple declared outbreaks:
East building:
1st floor – 1 case
3rd floor – 1 case
4th floor – 1 case
6th floor – 1 case
10th floor – 1 case
West building:
1st floor – 1 case
2nd floor – 5 cases
6th floor – 1 case
8th floor – 2 cases
9th floor – 1 case
Friday August 25: 18 cases total. They are now cancelling some outings and activities and having staff on affected floors wear masks.
For some reason, they seem to be highlighting hand washing as being the main way to stop infection spread, with no mention of air filtration or mandatory masking for all. They do suggest getting vaccines if able, to protect our most vulnerable.
East building:
1st floor – 1 case
3rd floor – 1 case
4th floor – 1 case
6th floor – 1 case
10th floor – 1 case
West building:
1st floor – 1 case
2nd floor – 6 cases
6th floor – 1 case
8th floor – 4 cases
9th floor – 1 case
Saturday August 26: 25 cases total. All staff masking now. Mandatory masking for visitors on outbreak floors.
East building:
1st floor – 3 cases
3rd floor – 2 cases
4th floor – 1 case
5th floor – 1 case
6th floor – 1 case
10th floor – 1 case
West building:
1st floor – 1 case
2nd floor – 8 cases
6th floor – 1 case
8th floor – 5 cases
9th floor – 1 case
The numbers at the Brant Centre are quite a bit lower but it is clear that the virus has returned and is impacting those who are most at risk.
Some Personal Care Workers are still working at two institutions at the same time – they need the income.
Much stronger defensive members are called for – but that does not appear to be happening.
The most recent results (August 24th) from the Office of the Medical Health Office are:
Prompt decisive action is needed when this kind of data is available. The last thing any community needs at this time is another outbreak.
Start wearing masks and be careful when you are in large group settings.
Regional Medical Office of Health do not maintain staff on the weekends. We will try them on Monday for a comment.
There are 50+ cases there now and likely much more.
Getting vaccinated and thinking you are doing your bit to protect this vulnerable population is not necessarily so. The vaccinated are not necessarily aware they have Covid and can shrug it off as a cold and infect others. They may not necessarily be in contact with this population but those who they infect could work at one or two homes or be visiting their mom, dad or grandparent.
We have never stopped masking but with the virus being air borne and able to enter by the eyes according to public health advisor earlier this year, it is very difficult to protect yourselves and thus others.
With schools going back and the inevitable passing along between students those in our age bracket are faced with the inevitable cutting back on our time with grandchildren. However we know grandparents are often baby sitters these days and they go to grandparents when unable to go to school.
The Halton Medical Officer of Health and indeed all members of Regional Council, our Health Board,need to be speaking out sooner than later on best family practices rather than simply pushing vaccinations.