Dear Residents and Families.

Yesterday, Dr. Roussin announced the escalation of the Pandemic Response Plan for licensed personal care homes in Winnipeg to “Red or Restricted” Status.  The memo from Shared Health was posted to the website yesterday for your information.  We have been in receipt of numerous calls asking for clarification of what this means for Holy Family Home.  Please review the following points that have been implemented following the public health direction:

  • The 2 “Designated Caregivers” can continue to visit in the resident’s room one at a time following screening from 10 am – 2 pm – seven days per week. The PPE and infection controls protocols must be followed or visitors may be asked to leave.
  • Outdoor visits and indoor visits with other visitors are suspended.
  • Residents can only leave the facility for essential health services.
  • Only essential service personnel will be permitted into the home.

These directions will be in place until further direction is received from Dr. Roussin.

We are asking the designated family members identified to work with one another to ensure there is no overlap of visitation.  We are doing our due diligence to prevent overlap of visitation but would appreciate your assistance in this matter.  Also, as previously requested, we are requesting all visitors who may experience any symptoms of COVID-19 following a visit to contact the unit nurse so we can ensure appropriate measures and surveillance done in a timely manner.

The Chief Medical Officer of the WRHA has also recommended residents in personal care homes wear non-medical masks, if able, when outside of their rooms.  It is recognized that this will not be possible or appropriate for many of our residents.  If you as a resident, or you as a family member feel this would be possible, we are asking the designated caregiver visiting the home to provide non-medical masks for the resident.  If you are bringing in non-medical masks to be worn, please bring them in a paper bag, labeled with the resident’s name to the nurse to be sent for labeling. There are non-medical masks for purchase available at the entrance of Holy Family Home if you are interested. 

We are continuing to adjust our processes based upon the advice of public health and are working hard to minimize risk and maintain the safety of all.  Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Tara-Lee Procter (Maciuszonek) – CEO