covid-19 and deconfinement - reminder:
Since July 18th, masks have been mandatory in closed public spaces. This safety measure prevents droplets' spread that could cause COVID-19 transmission and outbreaks. Please acknowledge and apply the recommendations below, which are not relevant for CHSLD residents:
- You must wear your mask when you leave the Wales grounds for any outings
- Masks are not required if you walk alone outside. If you are accompanied, please wear a mask
- You must wear your mask when you walk from your bedroom or apartment to the Dining/Living Room for your meals. Once you are seated, you may remove your face covering, but please put your mask back on before leaving the table.
- Please wear your mask when walking in your unit's hallways
- If you regroup for an activity, you must wear your mask until you are seated two metres apart from each other.
- Masks are mandatory in the Hair Salon and Tuck Shop and when receiving Foot Care and nursing care.
- You will be screened for symptoms for fourteen days if you leave the Wales for more than twenty-four hours for an outing with family or friends.
- You will have to be on isolation for fourteen days if you remain in the hospital for more than twenty-four hours.
- After being tested for COVID-19, new admissions will be on preventive isolation for fourteen days: no exceptions. We have been COVID-19-free since the pandemic's start and we want to keep our residents safe. Apartment residents are authorized to do their laundry if they follow proper hygiene measures.
- if you have an extreme breathing condition that makes wearing a mask difficult, please contact me and we will develop a solution together. Only people who have my authorization are permitted to disregard mask regulations.
You may visit other residents, but you need to register at door number one as a visitor and wear your mask during your visit. I do not recommend that you play cards or other games where you must share pieces like puzzles or board games.
You may receive deliveries from stores, however your items will be left at door number one for seventy-two hours for disinfection purposes. Visitors must leave deliveries at door number one and are not permitted to eat or drink on the premises. We have a zero tolerance policy for mask non-compliance and will ask visitors to leave if they do not respect our measures.
Visitors from orange or red zones:
If you live in a zone ranked higher risk than ours, please avoid visiting the Wales. Zero risk does not exist, however we need to do to what we can to prevent the virus from entering our facility. Even if you are asymptomatic, you are exposed daily to a higher risk situation that our residents. Please contact Chase for a virtual visit instead.
PRIMARY CAREGIVER:
Please understand that these measures are subject to change, especially if the Estrie changes colour zones. We are currently in the Yellow Zone, which means cases are increasing but are not alarming. Please appreciate that measures will be different when we change colour zones. We have therefore asked your family members to discuss and name one person to act as a primary caregiver. If the Estrie enters the orange zone, visits will be reserved for theis significant person only. Please communicate this name to Erica Vander Wal at evanderwal@waleshome.ca or 819-826-3266 extension 248.
SUSPENDED VISITOR PRIVILEGES:
Please know that we are still having many issues with visitors. Unfortunately, profuse amounts of people believe the pandemic is behind us, which is false. Physical distancing in residents' rooms is mandatory, hugging is not permitted, hand hygiene is required, visitors must keep their masks on properly, and must leave their personal belongings in their car or with the Visit Coordinator at door number one. The second wave is upon us, and we need to remain vigilant.
Visitation privileges have been revoked from a few family members now, and I will continue to do so as necessary. I value the benefits visitors bring to residents, but their security and that of our employees is my priority. There will be no warning; if visitros are caught disrespecting any rules, their visits will be suspended for at least thirty days.
Thank you so much for your efforts and understanding! Again, keeping those at the Wales safe is my priority, and I count on your support. We each have an impact on our own safety. If we want to have a great holiday season, we must put our efforts together, starting with our personal lives.
Please stay safe,
Vicky Gingras
Director of Health Services
819-826-3266 extension 224