Village at St. Clair long-term care facility, July 2014. (Photo by Maureen Revait)Village at St. Clair long-term care facility, July 2014. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Windsor

"Santa" disciplined at LTC home experiencing outbreak

Schlegel Villages, the company that owns and operates The Village at St. Clair in Windsor, said it would discipline a team member who did not wear a face mask during a holiday celebration.

"During an event meant to bring the holiday spirit to residents in the Amherstburg neighbourhood last week, a team member dressed as Santa did not follow our stated rules on proper PPE use," said Chief Operating Officer Paul Brown. "While this is a hard-working and dedicated employee who had the best of intentions while providing holiday cheer, we have a zero-tolerance for breaking our PPE rules."

The company said the team member tested negative for COVID-19 after the event.

"The test results for all but one of the residents have come back, and they are all negative," continued the company's statement.

Brown did not say what discipline the team member would face.

Schlegel Villages has been criticized by the union that represents its workers for not providing adequate PPE. The company said Thursday N-95 masks arrived on Tuesday at The Village of St. Clair where 101 residents and staff currently have the virus. That outbreak has also claimed at least one life.

"The home received an additional shipment of universal-fit N-95 masks on Tuesday, which are being provided to staff," Brown said. "No team member is required to sign a waiver in order to receive PPE."

A total of ten long-term care and retirement homes in Windsor-Essex are experiencing outbreaks of COVID-19.

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