Tansi!
As many of you know, on January 11, 2022 Dr. Michael Isaac Medical Health Officer First Nation Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) indicated there was an outbreak at our PCH. To date 5 out of 36 of our staff tested positive but never entered the building. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO OUTBREAK INSIDE OUR FACILITY. NO RESIDENTS HAVE SYMPTOMS OR HAVE TESTED POSITIVE TO DATE. The Board ensured all family members were notified of the positive staff cases and the measures being taken to keep our loved ones safe and healthy.

The protocols put in place by the Board in consultation with our public health department requires staff to be tested daily before they enter the building. Only staff who test negative enter our facility. Once inside all staff adhere to frequent handwashing/sanitizing, mandatory wearing of full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), disinfecting of all frequently touched surfaces and work in designated physically distanced groups. Staff do their best to maintain minimum contact among residents while still ensuring each person has the care they need.

Our community has had a stay at home order in force since December 23, 2022. This has significantly reduced incidents of staff intermingling with others in the community. Unfortunately, a few of our PCH staff still tested positive. However, a full lockdown is currently in place. Our OIC requires isolation of at least 10 days rather than the 5 days under current provincial public health orders. All staff currently in isolation will be retested before returning to work.

Upon return from mandatory isolation, staff will be tested daily at the Nursing Station using the GenXpert rapid testing machine for increased results accuracy. Additional Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits have been provided by FNIHB to support additional frequent staff and resident testing.

Activities are continuing while minimum contact is being maintained. Residents are receiving wellness phone calls from the mental health therapist. Family members are encouraged to continue phone and video calls with their loved ones during our community lockdown.

We continue to encourage everyone to STAY AT HOME. LIMIT ALL CONTACTS. WE MUST PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OUR ELDERS. Ekosani!