The Brenda Strafford Foundation, and the Continuing Care sector as a whole, continue to be challenged by the devastating impacts of COVID-19. All four of The Foundation’s sites are currently affected by a confirmed outbreak, with Wentworth Manor confirming their first positive cases in three staff members this week.
A reminder that the number of confirmed cases at our sites is published on our website on a daily basis Monday-Friday (view table available at: theBSF.ca/covid19).
We have now updated the details included in the daily reporting on our website to indicate the number of Recovered Cases declared in both residents and staff.
We are encouraged to report that as of today, BSF currently has more than twice as many recovered cases (35) than active positive cases (16) in residents and staff combined across The Foundation.
There are 14 residents and 13 staff who have been declared as recovered at Clifton Manor. In addition, three staff members at Bow View Manor and five staff members at Tudor Manor have also been declared as recovered. We continue to send our best wishes for recovery to the six residents and five staff at Clifton Manor, two staff at Tudor Manor, and three staff at Wentworth Manor who are currently affected by a positive case of COVID-19.
While we celebrate these recoveries, we continue to remember and mourn the lives of the seven residents from Clifton Manor that have tragically passed away as result of illnesses related to COVID-19.
Despite the new outbreak unfortunately occurring at Wentworth Manor this week, we are pleased to have otherwise seen the number of cases remain stable at the sites affected by an existing outbreak. Notably, there have been no new positive cases detected in residents at Clifton Manor since April 24. We are hopeful that both Bow View Manor and Tudor Manor will be declared ‘Outbreak Over’ as of early next week.
In accordance with the Government of Alberta announcement on April 17, and the Order from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, all sites affected by a new outbreak as of April 23 are required to conduct asymptomatic testing of all residents and staff on the affected unit. This is to identify individuals in the asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic phase in order to further limit spread of COVID-19 within the site.
At Bow View Manor, a total of 35 residents and 8 staff members were identified for asymptomatic testing on the affected Crowfoot neighbourhood. All 35 residents tested (100%) have received negative results, and 7 of the 8 staff tested have returned negative results at this time, with 1 staff member currently still pending their result.
At Clifton Manor, 12 residents on the affected Unit 600 neighbourhood and 68 staff (including 44 BSF employees and 24 Aramark employees) working in Unit 600 and the Isolation Unit were identified for asymptomatic testing. In the residents tested, 5 out of 12 residents (42%) returned a positive result asymptomatically, and 7 out of 12 residents (58%) returned a negative result. Of the asymptomatic staff that were tested, 2 staff members (3%) received a positive test result (one of which had developed symptoms by the time of testing), 65 staff members (95.5%) received a negative result, and 1 staff member (1.5%) is still pending their result.
At Tudor Manor, 122 residents and 81 staff (including 57 BSF employees and 24 Aramark employees) were identified for asymptomatic testing on the affected Canterbury and Manchester neighbourhoods. All 122 residents tested (100%) have received negative results, and 75 out of the 81 staff tested (92%) have returned negative results at this time, with 6 staff members (8%) currently still pending their results.
At Wentworth Manor, 70 residents on the affected Residence Main and Upper neighbourhoods and 144 staff working in the Residence and Court buildings were identified for asymptomatic testing. So far 67 out of 70 resident tests (96%) have received negative results, with 3 residents tested (4%) currently still pending results. As a result of the asymptomatic testing completed in staff, there is currently 1 staff member that has received a positive test result (0.70%), while 40 out of the 144 staff tested (27.8%) have returned negative results at this time, and 103 staff members (71.5%) are currently still pending their test results.
We will provide updates on the progress and status of the asymptomatic testing as we continue to receive results.
As we see progress with measures such as implementing Outdoor Visits at our sites, and Alberta’s phased approach to start re-opening businesses and services in the community, The Foundation will remain focussed on ensuring our employees are informed and supported to stay safe and avoid the risk of transmission in the community, as much as possible. We are constantly monitoring and evaluating the risks and restrictions in place for our residents and families, to ensure these risks and restrictions are appropriately balanced with quality of life. I assure you that we remain steadfastly focused on providing the best possible care and services to all of our residents and families.
I would once again like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the continued compassion, commitment and courage of all our employees and leadership team throughout the entire Foundation in response to this pandemic. I would again also like to acknowledge the ongoing resilience, understanding and support of our residents and families throughout all of our sites at this most difficult of times for everyone.
Together, we remain BSF Strong!
Mike Conroy
President and CEO
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In the spirit of respect, reconciliation and gratitude, we honour and acknowledge that our services are provided on the traditional territories of Treaty 7, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy comprising the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nation including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Good Stoney Bands. These territories are also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3. We are grateful for the many First Nations who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We acknowledge that we have ongoing responsibilities to protect, honour and celebrate all of life within our shared communities.
