48 personal care homes in Manitoba dealing with COVID-19

Winnipeg – There are about 50 personal care homes across Manitoba, currently dealing with COVID-19 cases.

On Wednesday, Chief Nursing Officer Lanette Siragusa said 48 homes had detected at least one virus case per resident or staff.

“Some of them clearly have a high level of spread,” Siragusa said.

“Regular physician coverage and medical monitoring of all residents will continue, and will be provided on-site or virtually.”

Syracuse said clinical leadership has been assigned to some serious outbreaks.

She noted that the Canadian Red Cross will provide staff assistance in the coming days at the Holy Family Home in Winnipeg.

“It focuses on infection prevention and control assessments and helps staff provide guidance,” Siragusa said.

The Red Cross is currently on-site and assisting at Maples Long Term Care Home, Golden Lynx Lodge and St. Norbert Personal Care Home.

Of the 14 deaths announced Wednesday, seven were linked to care homes in the province.

Syracuse said the emergency response team has access to all health areas in Manitoba to provide short-term intervention in high-intensity situations.

She noted that there is currently paramedic support at both Fairview Care Home in Brandon and Grandview Personal Care Home in Grandview, Man. In Brandon, paramedics are on-site 24/7, while paramedics are present during the day at Grandview.

Students who are about to graduate from the Red River College’s micro-credential course are recruited into the system for uncertified health care assistants. Siragusa said they will be deployed to personal care homes after their course ends next week.

She said another course will start after the completion of the first course.