This letter comes with mixed emotions. This week, we received confirmation of our first COVID-19 case on our campus. A staff member arrived to work, and early in their shift they realized they weren’t feeling well. They did the responsible thing and stepped away from their shift and went for immediate testing. It was confirmed positive.
Once we received the clear news, we partnered with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority to do a thorough investigation into the matter. We can now share the following outcomes:
1. No Outbreak
The Vancouver Coastal Health team reports that because the staff worker was wearing full protective equipment (mask, gown, gloves) on their shift, there have been no exposures to residents or staff, and NO outbreak has been declared at the facility.
2. Hyper-vigilance for 14 days
Having said that, we are being very attentive to all residents to be sure that no detail is overlooked. We have heightened our awareness of symptoms amongst our residents and entire staff. We will be in a hyper-vigilant mode because of this case for the next 2 weeks, until August 6, 2020. As part of this mode, we are asking all staff members and residents at The Cedars at Hopehill to monitor themselves for the development of any COVID-19 symptoms such as:
- new or worsening cough
- fever
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- sore throat
- new headache
- increasing fatigue
- loss of taste or smell
- new-onset vomiting or diarrhea
If you have, or develop, any symptoms before August 6, 2020, please arrange to get tested at our local testing sites or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for further advice.
3. Extra Care
The Vancouver Coastal Health team has not legislated a full “lockdown”, but we are heightening our screening and care on the campus to ensure an abundance of caution. If anyone is identified as being at risk, or if they develop any symptoms, we will ensure that testing and appropriate care are promptly provided. Please note that a test for COVID-19 is not recommended for people without any symptoms due to testing inaccuracy within that group.
From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Beulah has always taken a cautious approach. Given the choice, we will always aim to err on the side of caution.
Hopehill’s Plan
At the Cedars Residence:
A. In compliance with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, they have NOT ordered a lockdown of the Cedars on our campus.
B. Though we are not banning visitors, we ask your wisdom and willingness to limit personal visits for the next two weeks (till August 6, 2020). Please, limit your outside travels, too.
C. Only designated visitors will continue to visit. Visits will be kept to a strict time duration and will occur in the visitation areas only.
At other Hopehill Residences on Campus:
A. We are not banning visitors.
B. We do ask you to be wise and minimize your social circles.
C. If people come to visit, please start with hand washing, and keep 2 metres apart. Meeting outdoors is a fine way to socialize.
Final Notes
At this time, there is no need for staff or residents to self-isolate. We would ask everyone to continue following the advice of the Provincial Health Officer by maintaining good hand hygiene, practicing physical distancing where possible, and keeping their social circles small. We realize that this is not the easiest news to digest and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
For general information about COVID-19 visit HealthLinkBC at https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
If you have specific questions for us here on the campus, please contact:
Jamey McDonald
Chief Executive Officer
Hopehill
[email protected]
604-255-7707 ext 106