CHSLDs are battling Omicron

COVID-19 cases in the elderly and vulnerable living environment, as in the general population, have experienced asteroid growth in recent days. The report increased the number of active cases in CHSLDs and Retirement Homes (RPAs) from 319 on December 23 to 822 on December 28, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, 207 living environments were affected, compared to just 80 last Thursday. Seven CHSLDs in the province are now in the “Red Zone” (a quarter of the population is Kovid-19), one CHSLD is in the “Orange Zone” (15% to 25% of the population is infected) and 74 CHSLDs are in the “Yellow Zone” (confirmed). Less than 15% of cases affect residents). In terms of RPAs, 125 companies are in the “yellow zone” with no other levels. The MSSS reported ten deaths in CHSLDs and two outbreaks in the RPA.

Thus the omicron wave began to rise energetically in the living environment of the elderly. Asked Destiny, Two owners of retirement homes affected by the outbreak are reassuring, however, recall that we are still a long way from the situation we experienced in the spring of 2020.

“Omicron is highly contagious, but very weak in symptoms,” said Paul Arbeck, president and CEO of Group Sante Arbeck, owner of CHSLD Marguerite-Rochelle in Saint-Hubert, Monterey, where 59% of residents are COVID-infected. 19. “The good news is that 85% to 90% of our world has asymptomatic or very mild symptoms. But the false thing is, we have some people, a slim minority of our triple-vaccinated residents, who have a hard time with them.”

According to a report published Wednesday by Group Sante Arbeck, 64 residents and 32 employees of CHSLD Margaret-Rochelle were positive for COVID-19 and two seniors lost their lives.

Paul Arbeck argues that the living conditions of the elderly are now much better than they were during the first wave. “It simply came to our notice then The game. We are ready. Health Network is ready. Infection prevention and control teams are ready and there are many, he stressed. We know more about our opponent than we did two years ago. “

To counter Omikron, he believes that CHSLD Margaret-Rochelle is lucky in its misfortune. “We were among the first companies affected, so agency staff are still available.” With strengths, the establishment now has 15 to 20% more staff than usual, Paul Arbeck reported. “There is no shortage of staff. “

A “fluid” condition

Eleven residents, including five employees and an agency employee, signed a contract with COVID-19 at Residence Quatre Sciences’ RPA Residence Bellerive in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Montereggi, according to the owner of Residence Quartre Seasons.

A hot zone has been set up, but the residence is already planning to close it as infected people begin to return to their unit. “If we close the hot zone, all residents will receive two or three negative tests,” he said, adding that the outbreak began three weeks ago.

All COVID-19 infected residents received their three doses of the vaccine. “This wave is definitely less destructive. People with the condition have very mild symptoms, Vinet said. The first wave was very difficult. It seemed new to everyone.”

We know more about our opponent than we did two years ago.

The machine is now well oiled, he adds. “The desire to quickly test our employees and residents is a big improvement [par le CSSS du Suroît]. It helped us a lot. “

He said the situation was currently under control at the residence in Bellerive. But if there is anything the pandemic has taught us, everything can change quickly, he warned. “It’s a very liquid situation.”

Be careful

With such a strong community transmission, this increase is to be expected in CHSLDs and RPAs, D indicates^R David Lucier is a geriatrician at the Institute of Geriatrics de Montreal. “But I heard [du terrain], This is not what we experienced in the first wave with high mortality, because for the most part [des personnes infectées] Have light shapes [de la maladie]. ⁇

D^R Luzier stressed that living environments are now better prepared, especially to isolate infected people and protect their residents better with their third dose of the vaccine. However, he said the situation would have to be closely monitored in the coming days. “In a population, the number of cases increases exponentially very quickly.”

Especially since screening activities take place in many residences. “When an outbreak occurs on one floor, we test everyone so it is possible to find more infected people who are asymptomatic,” he stressed.

Julie Bouchard, president of the Interprofessional Health Federation of Quebec (FIQ), urged the government to closely monitor the living conditions of seniors.

“We should not rely on clients being vaccinated three times [présumer] Another horror story did not happen, ”the union leader said.

To prevent new outbreaks, FIQ demands that health care workers working in the living environment for the elderly increase access to N95 masks. “Although the CNESST recommended the effect on December 24, the Ministry of Health has not yet ruled on the recommendation,” she lamented.

D^R Lucier also supports this request. “The risks of a resident or employee being positive and asymptomatic are very high, so if we want to minimize the risks, that’s the best thing to do.”

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