A resident of a Burnaby seniors care home where a staff member was diagnosed with COVID-19 has now tested positive for the virus.
Residents and families of the New Vista Society, which operates a care home at 7550 Rosewood St. in Burnaby, received an email on Friday about the situation, a copy of which was forwarded to the NOW. Earlier in the week, news broke that a New Vista staff member had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
“We are writing to notify you that a resident of the New Vista Care Home was diagnosed with COVID-19 late yesterday, in a second floor area where our staff member diagnosed with COVID was working,” said the email, signed by Tone Batt, a clinical manager.“The New Vista team has isolated the resident to her room and are providing care to actively manage the risk of further infection. We have a Clinical Manager (experienced RN leader) on site 7 days a week, in addition to other support managers and myself.”
The Communicable Disease Control team from Fraser Health has been on-site and continues to work with the staff at the facility, and the medical director, Dr. Ian Cameron, to identify anyone who may have been exposed and to take steps to protect the health of all residents and staff, said the email.
“This exposure does not mean that you or your family member is sick with COVID-19,” said the email. “Residents who do not have symptoms will be monitored. We do not recommend testing for residents who do not have symptoms because the test is not reliable in the absence of symptoms. Residents who develop symptoms will be isolated, tested for COVID-19 and receive the care they need.”
Fraser Health will be providing infection control support to New Vista Society throughout this time, according to the email.
“In light of the potentially severe consequences of COVID-19, outbreak control measures have been put in place at New Vista Society. This may result in some residents being confined to their rooms, including during mealtimes. You may also notice restrictions to group activities, and non-essential services. These precautions prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, and are standard approaches used in care facilities during seasonal Influenza outbreaks.”
