The CEO of Vision Nursing Home says they're doing everything possible to stop the spread of COVID-19 at their Wellington Street site.
There are now 12 residents and five staff members who have contracted the virus, and three residents have died since an outbreak was declared at the home April 23.
CEO Heather Martin said every time they feel they're moving in the right direction, they get pushed back, and their optimism is being "bashed often."
"It's a fight with an enemy you can't see, that's the hard part," Martin told BlackburnNews.com Wednesday. "We are doing everything in our power to get this under control and it's been a long, trying few weeks."
She said they're being aggressive testing residents and staff and have struck up a wonderful relationship with Bluewater Health since hospital staff came in to test all of the residents and staff.
"Their IPAC team specialists came to our home on Monday and observed our practices, as an outside set of eyes to make sure we were following all the proper protocols for infection control and prevention. That was really helpful. It reassured us that we are doing the right things."
Martin said currently six Bluewater Health staff have been redeployed to the home and she hopes to have nine by the end of the week.
"We're using RPNs [registered practical nurses], environmental service workers and dietary staff from the hospital," said Martin. "It's difficult to staff the home at the best of times, and now it's making it even more challenging. We have staff that are at home with their family members or loved ones, or perhaps children that they can't get daycare for. So, it's really put a strain on the staffing levels of the home."
Martin said the outbreak remains contained to one wing, of one unit at the home and staff that have committed to working there don't move off that unit.
"When they come into work, they test in and on the way out, they go out a fire escape."
Martin said they're thankful for the support.
"Our residents are rallying behind us and family members have been extremely supportive and understanding of the challenge that we're faced with. That's giving us the courage to keep battling the battle."
Martin said if the outbreak drags on they would "absolutely" accept help from education support workers.
The province announced Wednesday it has secured agreements allowing workers not involved in at-home learning to volunteer at long-term care homes.
"It's unfortunate, but all of the homes in the province have been closed. Today is day 62," Martin said, "62 days where these people haven't had the opportunity to be with their loved ones, so we're doing a lot of one-on-one interventions, a lot of socializing just one-on-one. That would be an area where we could see an opportunity for visiting."
Custodians, educational assistants, social workers and other staff would continue to be paid by their original employer and will be provided with personal protective equipment.