Amid fears of the possible spread of the contagious UK variant of the COVID-19 virus, the Leacock Retirement Lodge in Orillia has made the “difficult decision” to suspend all essential visits for a month.
Julie Malandrino, general manager of the lodge, sent a memo this week to staff, residents and and others in which she said the new rules came into effect yesterday, Jan. 27.
She said the “exceedingly high” number of positive COVID-19 cases in Ontario, “coupled with a concentration of the UK variant detected in Barrie” means “the risk of transmission” has risen.
“While we recognize and appreciate the supports that you extend to our residents, and your adherence to the health and safety protocols that we currently have in place, after careful consideration and ongoing discussions with our infection prevention and control specialists, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all essential visits to our Lodge for the duration of one month with the exception of compassionate end-of-life care,” said Malandrino in the memo.
“While we understand the frustration and inconvenience this ... may cause, it is our duty to exercise every measure possible to support the health and safety of our residents, team members, family members and the Orillia community at large, especially during these unprecedented circumstances,” notes Malandrino.
“We truly believe this is the best course of action to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission within our Lodge,” she wrote.
Stephanie Barber, community relations co-ordinator for the Leacock Lodge, said essential visitors are usually “direct family members of our residents who are designated by the Lodge to offer support and care.”
She said they “understand and empathize that this course of action will cause limitations for some of our family members and residents, however, it is our duty to implement mitigation strategies to safeguard against the contraction and transmission of COVID-19.”
Barber said, at present, there are no positive or suspected cases of COVID-19 within the Lodge.
The suspension of essential visitors will be in place until Feb. 26 "at which point it will be reassessed based on risk."