A staff outbreak of COVID-19 is suspected at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home.
There has been one lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 amongst the staff at the home. Another staff member has received a positive rapid antigen test and is awaiting confirmation from a PCR test.
H.J. McFarland has strong reason to believe that the staff members contracted COVID-19 through community spread and not through contacts at the home. The staff members who have received positive tests have not been inside H.J. McFarland Memorial Home for several days.
H.J. McFarland Memorial Home is working with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health to identify any possible contacts and following provincial guidance for responding to COVID-19 in long-term care homes. Out of an abundance of caution, H.J. McFarland had already implemented the visiting restrictions that are required during a suspected outbreak.
At this time, only essential visitors and caregivers are permitted to visit the home. Under provincial regulations, essential visitors are people who meet an essential need of residents that could not be adequately met if the person does not visit the home. A caregiver is a type of essential visitor who provides direct care to meet the essential needs of a resident. Visit the Government of Ontario website for more information about essential visitors and caregivers.
Essential visitors and caregivers must register with H.J. McFarland Memorial Home in advance of a visit. If you are not registered, call 613.476.2138. Essential visitors and caregivers must also meet the following requirements:
- Provide a negative COVID-19 test upon entry to the Home, unless they had a negative test the day before.
- Provide proof of COVID-19 fully vaccinated status, unless they have a valid medical exemption or are attending to a resident in a palliative end-of-life situation. Caregivers will be required to have a first dose by December 20, 2021 and all required doses to be considered fully vaccinated by February 21, 2022. In the interim, designated caregivers who are not fully vaccinated would need to restrict their visit to the resident’s room.
The health and safety of all staff and residents is the top priority for H.J. McFarland Memorial Home. Enhanced screening and testing procedures already in place will continue. Should you have any questions or concerns, contact 613.476.2138.
