The Chandler Unit at Glengarry has also been experiencing a Norovirus outbreak since April 6. Some patients on the unit began developing respiratory symptoms at the end of March, but these were often mild and not readily distinguished from the Norovirus symptoms in this group of elderly and often cognitively impaired residents. The respiratory outbreak was declared on April 22 after an increase in the number of cases and several deaths occurred.
Since April 5, nine residents with the respiratory symptoms have passed away. Each of these residents was elderly and frail with multiple medical challenges. Five of these residents were already receiving palliative care. Medical reviews are underway on all cases to determine what role the respiratory condition may have played – if any – in the deaths.
“We take outbreaks in residential care facilities very seriously because the frail, elderly population is more susceptible to serious complications and even death from illnesses,” said Dr. David Forrest, Associate Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control with VIHA. “The fact that no staff have been affected by this illness would suggest it is a mild illness in most people that is affecting our frail elderly residents more.”
Lab tests have not yet confirmed the organism involved in the respiratory condition, but influenza A and B and H1N1 have been ruled out. Further testing is underway at the VIHA laboratory as well as at the BC Centre for Disease Control in Vancouver. Results are expected later this week.
“While the cause of the illness is not yet known, residential care facilities reflect the community. There are many viruses circulating in the community this time of year, including rhino- and noro-viruses. When they are introduced into the residential care setting they can have a significant impact on residents and staff,” said Dr. Forrest. “We would like to remind people not to visit when they are not feeling well. In addition, since many infections such as influenza can be prevented by vaccination, immunization is important to prevent the development of such outbreaks and deaths.”
VIHA has notified family members of this latest outbreak. Heightened infection control measures are in place to prevent its spread.
These measures include:
- Limiting contact between residents (residents are isolated to their rooms)
- Closing all dining rooms (meals are being served to residents in their rooms)
- Limiting visitors to one family member per resident.
- Requiring visitors to wear protective equipment and to follow strict hand hygiene practices (e.g. mask, gown and gloves when visiting someone with symptoms).
- Restricting visitors to loved one’s room only; no visits in common areas.
- Cancelling special events and restricting movement for residents who smoke.
- Requiring staff to wear protective equipment and to follow strict infection control practices (e.g. mask with visor, gown, gloves).
- Restricting staff who have been working on the Chandler Unit from working in other residential care sites in back-to-back shifts.
- Adding housekeeping staff and enhancing housekeeping with additional infection control cleaning protocols (such as enhanced cleaning of frequent touch areas, changing of privacy curtains).
- Maintaining a previous closure to new admissions that was put in place April 6 due a Norovirus outbreak.
Residents who contract respiratory symptoms are being carefully monitored and treated as appropriate, depending on their care plan, their wishes, or the wishes of their family. Where requested and appropriate, a resident may be transferred to hospital for additional care such as intravenous antibiotic care.
Glengarry has a total of 140 beds. Only the Chandler Unit (70 beds) is affected by the respiratory outbreak.
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Media Contact:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270