March 23, 2021
Hello everyone,
Let me begin by updating you on the three outbreak situations we are currently dealing with at our two Lethbridge retirement communities and Seasons High River, all in Alberta. Please refer to your site-specific updates and communication for current outbreak protocols and restrictions in place at your homes for our staff, residents, and families at these locations:
Seasons Lethbridge Gardens. We have zero active cases at this time. Alberta Health Services (AHS) completed the first round of prevalence testing for residents last week, and all test results were negative. AHS has tentatively scheduled subsequent testing for this Thursday. Additionally, we were advised that the second round of COVID-19 vaccinations will take place on April 1.
Seasons Lethbridge. We have zero active cases at this time. All first-round prevalence testing for residents is now complete. All results were negative for COVID-19, except for one test lost in the system and must be re-taken. When we have that test result, AHS will advise the next steps.
Seasons High River. AHS declared Seasons High River in outbreak status on March 17. We have zero active resident cases, as prevalence testing results came back negative. We have one active staff case at this time.
All eligible Seasons Retirement Communities residents were able to have at least one dose of the vaccine for COVID-19, and AHS/Public Health is scheduling more second-round vaccination dates moving forward.
Unfortunately, not all staff or Designated Essential Visitors have had the same opportunity. With the added risk of new, more transferable variants, we continue to ask that everyone please remain vigilant.
Seasons continues to follow all required enhanced directives and orders from our provincial government, our sector regulators, local public health and city by-laws because of our vulnerable population. We also remain committed to advocating with our sector regulators about retirement home restrictions given our excellent resident vaccination penetration rates.
Outdoor Visits
As we welcome warmer weather, we are glad to be able to offer Outdoor Social Visits. Outdoor Social Visits will continue to be restricted until directives and orders change. Visits must be scheduled in advance by contacting the home directly.
Scheduled visits assist local Public Health and us with contact tracing should we have a case of COVID-19. It is a challenge to our physical distancing procedures when unplanned visitors arrive at the screening checkpoints, in the elevators and throughout our buildings.
When you arrive, you will undergo health screening. We ask that you practice continuous masking, good hand hygiene and proper physical distancing at all times. We encourage people not to visit us if they feel unwell and want to remind residents to remain in their suites if they feel sick. Please inform a member of the Seasons Health & Wellness team who will follow up with you.
Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.
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