Community Living Chatham-Kent has another employee with COVID-19.
The group home caring for those with developmental disabilities reported on Tuesday that a third worker has tested positive for the virus and has been in self-isolation since March 26. Two other employees who tested positive last week continue to recover.
"The Community Living Chatham-Kent family wishes each person the very best," read an update posted on their Facebook page.
Chatham-Kent Public Health is now advising those employees and their clients to request an expedited test at the assessment centre in Chatham to ensure they are prioritized to get faster results.
"Employees are to state that they work in a 'group home setting' with vulnerable people, if you are presenting for your own test," the agency said. "It would remain the assessment centre’s discretion whether they process a CLCK employee for an expedited test/STAT test, but nonetheless, it is vital that this information is shared [by checking off 'institutional setting' on the test requisition]."
Community Living Chatham-Kent is also being told by the local public health unit to immediately isolate their clients if they show a fever and have staff wear full personal protective equipment.
On Friday evening, a man in a residential home had a fever and immediately went into self-isolation, and all staff started wearing full personal protective equipment. The staff tried taking the man for testing the next day even though his fever was not present but couldn't because he was agitated and not cooperative. Staff members still don't know if he has the coronavirus or not but are following the guidelines set out by health officials.
Meanwhile, the first two people living at one of their homes who tested positive for the virus in late March are back home and doing well after isolating for 14 days. The first two employees who worked at the same home and tested positive for COVID-19 last week are still in isolation.
Community Living said it continues working closely with the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit, following their guidance on health and safety procedures and recommendations and has implemented several measures to minimize the spread of the virus, including the following:
· Restricting visitors to our residential homes · Stopping non-essential supports within the agency · Closing the three Day Programs and two Respite Programs · Educating staff and residents on hand washing and other infection control measures
The agency said it thanks the people who access services, staff, and families for working together during this challenging time.
Visit https://www.clc-k.ca/n…/covid-19-agency-information-updates/ for more information.
Community Living Wallaceburg reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on April 3, a 39-year-old female employee.
Chatham-Kent has 17 positive cases of COVID-19 and one death as of April 8.