Our residents are at higher risk of serious illness from exposure to COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses. You can help us protect everyone living, working or visiting at our Manors by preventing any potential spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
This special bulletin is designed to assure residents, families and visitors to our Manors that The Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF) is taking all reasonable precautions to prevent the occurrence or spread of COVID-19 in our sites.
As seniors living in continuing care communities are a population that is at higher risk, and out of an abundance of precaution, BSF is taking extra Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures within our sites that are considered over and above the current guidelines for the general public in Alberta at this time.
Effective immediately on December 25, 2021, all residents returning from an outing for an absence of greater than 24 hours** (regardless of immunization status) AND all asymptomatic fully immunized* residents who have recently been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 (whether contact tracing for exposure was on an outing or on site) are required to:
* Quarantine requirements for asymptomatic residents who are not fully immunized who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 remain the same as current practices (as guided by AHS).
** This applies effective immediately to all residents returning from an outing of greater than 24 hours. (It does not apply retrospectively to residents that may have returned from an outing over the past 14 days).
These restrictions are in accordance with the guidance for continuing care residents under the direction of Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Orders. Refer to: www.alberta.ca/protecting-residents-at-congregate-care-facilities.aspx
On December 23, 2021, Alberta Health issued an updated CMOH Order for Continuing Care Operators in response to the rise of community transmission of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The yet unknown challenges the Omicron variant will present to long-term care, licensed supportive living, and hospices, requires immediate action.
Yesterday (December 24, 2021) BSF provided notice of COVID-19 Safe Visiting Policy changes to take effect on December 27, 2021. However, after further consideration of the significantly rising risk in the community, we are now providing notice of this change for residents returning from outings (greater than 24 hours) effective immediately today.
The change to rapid testing for non-immunized visitors remains effective from December 27, 2021, as previously notified.
Starting from December 27, 2021, BSF will require any visitor (aged 5 years and older) that is not fully immunized for COVID-19 to undertake a negative rapid test daily upon entry to a BSF site or provide valid proof of privately paid negative test completed within the past 24 hours.
We understand the Holiday Season is an important time for residents, families and loved ones. These changes consider minimizing the disruption for residents, families and loved ones, while managing the significantly increasing risk in the community in line with current CMOH Orders and enhanced public health restrictions and guidance for all Albertans. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and understanding. We wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
The full BSF Safe Visiting Policy is available at: www.BSF.ca/COVID19.
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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.
