As COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise in Saskatchewan, more and more care homes are seeing outbreaks.
An outbreak was declared on the second floor of the the Santa Maria Senior Citizens’ Home on Dec. 18, and by Tuesday, the home confirmed there were 20 positive cases.
In an email, the home’s executive director, Kelly Chessie, said the home is still in the early stages of the outbreak. The home is working closely with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Public Health to monitor and contain the spread, and to ensure there is enough staff and enough personal protective equipment.
“Everyone is working diligently and calmly with the health and safety of our residents and staff front-of-mind,” wrote Chessie.
She said the home is keeping family members informed of what’s happening and staff are following the pandemic plan and all public health measures.
“Saskatchewan Health Authority staff visited our home as part of their commitment to inspect homes with outbreaks and there were no significant issues raised,” Chessie said in the email.
According to the home’s page on the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region website, there are 147 residents in the home. It provides care for those with the highest needs, levels 3 and 4 care.
An outbreak also was declared at the home in mid-November.
Outbreaks have been declared recently at other care homes in Regina, including the Lutheran Home and Wintergreen Estates.
A number of assisted living facilities — including Clare Parker Homes, Eden Care Communities, Brightwater Senior Living and Parliament Place Care Home — also have been added to the government’s list of outbreak sites over the past three weeks.