COVID-19 Update Jan 16, 2021: Vaccine Eligibility

January 12, 2021

Hello everyone,

I am happy to report that the outbreaks at Seasons St. Thomas in Ontario and Seasons Wetaskiwin in Alberta were rescinded. I will now update you on the four outbreaks we are currently dealing with. For our staff, residents and families at Seasons Amherstburg, Seasons Camrose, Seasons Olds and Seasons Welland, please refer to your site-specific updates and communication for current outbreak protocols and restrictions in place at your homes.

Seasons Amherstburg in Ontario. Yesterday, we were informed that one staff case has been declared resolved by Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU). Staff surveillance testing revealed another positive case. This means we remain steady at two staff cases of COVID-19. Our residents remain well and are asymptomatic. We continue to have no resident cases at this time. I am very happy to share that the Moderna vaccine arrived at Seasons Amherstburg yesterday and was administered to our residents.

Seasons Camrose in Alberta. I am saddened to share that two of our COVID-19 positive residents have passed away. We extend our sincere condolences to the friends and families of these residents, as well as to the Seasons Camrose staff who cared for them deeply. We presently have 14 positive resident cases and 6 positive team member cases. Further prevalence testing of residents will occur on January 15th and 20th. Our Designated Supportive Living (DSL) residents are scheduled to receive the Moderna vaccine today, January 12, 2021.

Seasons Olds in Alberta. Things are progressing well at Seasons Olds. Our positive staff case is now considered resolved. If things continue along this trajectory, it is our hope that the outbreak will be declared over this week.

Seasons Welland in Ontario. Niagara Region Public Health placed this home in outbreak status yesterday after one team member tested positive for COVID-19. As per protocol, residents are isolating in the comfort of their suites and contact tracing efforts are well underway.

Provincial Lockdowns

Both Ontario and Alberta are in the midst of provincial lockdowns. We continue to ask all residents to adhere to the following protocols:

• Self-isolate for 14 days if you did not follow provincial requests to remain on-site, instead choosing to visit with friends and/or family at another household, especially where infection prevention and control protocols were not followed
• Wear a mask continuously when you are not in your suite
• Practice good hand hygiene and physical distancing
• If you feel unwell, report it immediately to a Seasons Team Member We continue to ask all Designated Visitors to:
• Review our Visitor Information Package monthly
• Not visit a Seasons Community for 14 days if you visited with family and/or friends from another household within the last week
• Wear a mask continuously while visiting a Seasons resident (this means not eating or drinking while you are visiting)
• Practice good hand hygiene and physical distancing
• If, after your visit, you become symptomatic or are notified that you had close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, please contact Seasons immediately

We continue to ask all team members to:

• Practice all infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols
• Refrain from visiting with friends and/or family that are not in your household
• Practice physical distancing from fellow team members during breaks

COVID-19 Vaccine

Seasons communities were contacted by their Local Public Health Units (LPHU) and/or Alberta Health Services (AHS) regarding team member vaccinations. Some regions will allow us to add a Designated Family/Support Person/Caregiver to our vaccination lists. Should this be the case for the Seasons location where your loved one resides, we will reach out to you about your interest in participating.

Local Public Health Units and/or AHS will be coordinating resident vaccinations onsite. In preparation, Seasons continues to seek doctors’ orders and consent from physicians, residents and/or substitute decision-makers, on behalf of residents. We are including a new vaccination fact sheet which may help with any questions you may have. Provincial changes in portability now mean we may see the Moderna and/or the Pfizer vaccine for residents. While we have been notified of impending vaccination we are still awaiting firm dates. As expected, the news comes quickly without much notice, so we appreciate our residents and family members’ flexibility and understanding.

In Alberta, AHS is focusing on vaccinations for Designated Supportive Living residents first and will roll out to Independent Living residents in phase two. For more information on Alberta Health’s phased approach to vaccination, please visit their website.

Alberta Vaccination Eligibility & Clinic Dates:

Ontario Vaccination Eligibility & Clinic Dates:

In other news, as a celebration of the launch of Cubigo, our new communication platform, we are giving away free tablets to residents at each of our retirement communities! To enter the draw, residents should simply inform the Fun Manager. Winners will be named on Friday, January 15, 2021.

There is no greater priority than the health and safety of our staff and residents. Whether you work, live or support a loved one at Seasons, I want to thank you all for your continued vigilance and commitment to the collective health and safety of our retirement communities.

Sincerely,

LeighAnne Voll
Chief Operating Officer,
Seasons Retirement Communities

For additional online resources for COVID-19 you can visit the following sites:

Canada Health
Alberta Health
Alberta Health Services
Public Health Ontario
Retirement Home Regulatory Authority