Southlake Residential Care Village is facing a new COVID-19 outbreak just as the holidays arrive.
The non-profit long-term care home in Newmarket announced the outbreak in an email to families Dec. 24. Previously in surveillance outbreak status, the organization said that York Region Public Health has now updated it to a confirmed outbreak.
The home's incident management system team told families more protocols would be put into force.
Dining services will be suspended and residents are receiving tray-service in their rooms.
"All units will be required to follow appropriate IPAC (infection prevention and control) protocols and full PPE protocols," the team said. "The home has already begun increasing sanitization efforts."
The protocols include full mask protection, a gown, and gloves when a staff member is within six feet of a resident. All visitors are also getting asked to follow additional protocols.
Andrea Ferkranus has a father staying at the facility. She said she disagrees with the protocol that will prevent him and other residents from leaving the facility, adding her family has taken safety precautions and he has a booster vaccination.
“It’s really disappointing. All these people that live in these homes, they have limited time. We don’t know if this will be our last Christmas. It was something we’ve been really looking forward to over these past few months,” she said. “It feels like once again the residents are paying the price.”
She added caregivers can still enter the facility with precautions, but only one at a time.
York Region confirmed the outbreak and said there are currently four confirmed cases, only among staff.
"Appropriate measures are being taken including implementation of droplet and precautions for the facility," director of corporate communications Patrick Casey said. "Outbreak protocol decisions could be on a case-by-case basis based on the risk assessment and overall assessment of the outbreak."
Measures will include contact tracing, testing of all residents and staff and other support, Casey added.
This is the facility's fourth outbreak since the pandemic began and the first since April 16, according to York Region Public Health. The facility has had only one COVID-19 death associated with its previous outbreaks. Updated information on the current outbreak is not yet available.
The long-term care home said it would provide further updates to families and residents as changes occur.
"Thank you for your support, understanding, and patience during the holidays," the incident management system team said in an email. "The Southlake Village team is working hard to ensure the safety for all, and we hope to be out of outbreak soon."
Ferkanus said she is worried the home's lockdown may be in place a long time, both with the rise of the omicron variant and long-term care sector staffing challenges.
"I just think it's really sad what's happening," she said.
