Stevens Group – Coronavirus Updates
April 23, 2020
Administrator’s Update
Hello Families and Friends,
Although all earlier cases have all been resolved, we want you to be aware that a Magnolia employee has reported a community acquired COVID-19 illness. The employee has been isolated and is recovering at home, and there has been no identified exposure to Residents at the Magnolia. Our employee only worked on one cottage as per our cohorting efforts to limit movement of staff. As per protocol, all families on that cottage were notified, and all staff have been made aware. We do not anticipate any significant staff shortages as a result of this positive test result.
We continue to be vigilant in our pandemic practices to assure that your loved one and our staff’s safety is our first priority. As our previous updates have indicated, we have been working through this pandemic with Public Health to ensure we are meeting all requirements issued by the Medical Officer of Health.
All Residents continue to be screened twice daily and all staff are screened upon reporting to work. Anyone with symptoms of any kind are reported to Public Health, and are screened for COVID-19.
If you have any questions pertaining to this, please do not hesitate to contact Taralee Walsh at taralee.walsh@rosecrest.ca or call at 902-476 4665. We will continue to keep you informed of the situation.
Thank you for your support,
Tracy Bonner BScN, RN
Administrator, Rosecrest Communities
April 22, 2020
April 17, 2020
Good day to all our Family and Friends at the Magnolia,
We are now into the 2nd month since the first Covid-19 case was diagnosed in Nova Scotia. All our Staff and Management team at Magnolia continue to follow guidelines and work diligently to put processes in place to ensure we are keeping our residents safe. Our residents have been very patient and compliant in following all these measures. They have been so great which in turn keeps us all smiling as we work through this together.
Daily we are continuing with our advanced screening measures for all staff entering our facility. We are all entering the main doors, keeping 6 feet apart, sanitizing our hands, gathering our masks, being asked screening questions, and temperatures are being checked and recorded. When we are all screened in, have our masks on we can then begin our day and care for all your loved ones.
Cohorting residents and staff is a recommendation coming from Public Health. Cohorting means trying to keep the same residents being cared for by the same staff in the same area. This in turn will help decrease the chance of spreading illness. We are currently working on this plan and will do all we can do while we continue to face ongoing staffing challenges. As we continue to work on this, as mentioned in our last communication video/ window chats are currently on hold while we work through this.
Today, April 17th we are placing a Contact Identification Form on every resident’s door or entry to cottage. Staff who is in the room and have close contact to the resident (within 6 feet for more than 5 minutes) they will document their name and corresponding information on the form. Further, if another resident who has been in that resident room, staff must document the resident’s name on the form. This will help identify contact tracing in the event of an outbreak.
A designated care/cohorting area is also in the works here at Magnolia. This will be an area that a resident may be moved to in the invent they test positive. Having these residents in one area will help us care for them safely in keeping with good infection control guidelines.
If anyone has any further questions or concerns please feel free to give me a call at 902 476 4665 or email taralee.walsh@rosecrest.ca. Thank you all again for your continued support and patience during this time, stay safe.
Taralee Walsh
Director of Care
The Magnolia
April 17, 2020
April 15, 2020
A Good News Story!
Magnolia is currently free of positive cases and prior isolated staff have been cleared to return to work.
Undoubtedly a result of their immense efforts to do their best work!
ALSO! The Magnolia will be famous on FRIDAY!!!!
Please watch out for Classified‘s new video Good News which was partly shot here at the Magnolia back in February. We cannot wait to see the final product!!
April 14, 2020
A good news story!
Ivy Meadows Continuing Care Community
Special thanks to family member Terry Mulcahy and the Halifax Chinese Community for the generous donation on Tuesday of 600 protective face masks!! 😷
All of the Rosecrest homes can be seen on Facebook:
Ivy Meadows Continuing Care Community
April 3, 2020
Hello All,
Something to think about … perspective can be enlightening. A little bit of a long read, but well worth the time.
[COVID-19] One Important Recommendation You May Not be Hearing
You Have a Lot More Power Over Your Feelings Than You Think …
https://medium.com/the-mission/why-coronavirus-should-be-the-least-of-your-worries-d6ed6abe75bc
Best wellness wishes,
JoAnn
April 2, 2020
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Feel supported if you are feeling stressed, worried or overwhelmed. Connect with confidence and confidentially. These services are at no cost to you or your immediate family members.
Family – Health – Life – Money – Work
Online Access: http://www.myinconfidence.ca/
Online User ID: Stevens
Password: efap
Or call the toll-free number: 1-877-418-2181 and identify employer as STEVENS GROUP.
Services are available 24-hours a day, to offer support with a wide variety of issues and concerns.
April 1, 2020
Dear Friends and Family of Rosecrest,
After a few days of watching and waiting on testing, the Magnolia Continuing Care Community is breathing a collective sigh of relief (however brief) as we remain at only two residents diagnosed with COVID-19, with all other resident tests coming back as negative.
We have one additional staff member results coming back as positive to bring our total count to three staff members diagnosed with the virus. Those staff are isolating at home and we wish them a safe and speedy recovery.
We know this has been a harried time as you await hearing news on friends and loved ones living and working at Magnolia and we appreciate your kind wishes and concern. Our residents continue to persevere through this challenging period when they are a little more isolated from loved ones and familiar activities.
Testing of our remaining staff continues, but we have received two additional negative tests along with the previous count of seven. We will continue to update as tests come back from Public Health.
As many of our other staff remain in isolation for various reasons, we have worked together with our many partners including NSHA, Continuing Care, Department of Health and Wellness, VON and more to ensure staffing levels can allow for continued care of our residents.
Rosecrest is working to maintain vigilance in our best practices developed when dealing with this virus. The virus continues to dictate what our precautions look like, but we learn more each day through the expertise and knowledge gained from our peers in healthcare across the country.
We are far from through this, and your continued efforts to flatten the curve by enacting self isolation and social distancing only when necessary will go a long way towards keeping our community healthy.
Tracy Bonner BScN, RN
Administrator, Rosecrest Communities
March 31, 2020
Dear Friends and Family of Rosecrest,
As of today, the Magnolia Continuing Care Community continues to hold at two staff members and two residents diagnosed with COVID-19. There is another resident who has presented with some cough symptoms and is being monitored. All residents at Magnolia have been swabbed and those tests have been submitted to Public Health. We await the test results over the coming days and will continue to share as we know more details.
Testing of the remaining staff continues as there are some that still remain in the queue. We want to applaud our staff for their efforts to maintain care of our residents in this unusual time. As many of our other staff are in isolation, we have worked together with the Department of Health and Wellness to ensure staffing levels can allow for continued care of our residents.
We also anticipate an additional supply of PPE for employees from the Department of Health to ensure continued protection of staff and residents as we work to contain the virus.
It is difficult knowing that some of the most vulnerable in our community are so close to this virus that has seemed so far away for so many months. We appreciate everyone’s efforts at continuing to flatten the curve by staying home. Our residents are coping well to this point and we appreciate your understanding that our primary focus is caring for our residents, and we are not always able to communicate with families beyond these daily updates.
Tracy Bonner BScN, RN
Administrator, Rosecrest Communities
March 30, 2020
Dear Friends and Family of Rosecrest,
As of today, the Magnolia Continuing Care Community has two staff members and two residents from the same cottage who have tested positive for COVID-19. Public Health has now identified that community spread of the virus has happened in NS, therefore it is vital to continue following all guidelines to work towards flattening the curve of COVID-19.
We are happy to report that seven other tests from the initial case have turned out to be negative, but those individuals continue to be monitored. Our staff members and residents who have tested positive are managing well in isolation. We are working with Public Health officials to source replacement staffing while many are unable to return to work as they selfisolate to keep our community safe.
Rosecrest would like to thank the community and its members for positive thoughts and support as we navigate a unique situation. We are proud of our staff and the extended Rosecrest community in adopting measures to keep our residents and staff safe.
Tracy Bonner BScN, RN
Administrator, Rosecrest Communities
March 30, 2020
March 30, 2020
Please see the following message from Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Nova Scotia…
My fellow Nova Scotians,
COVID-19 is an unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation, and I recognize this is a scary time for Nova Scotians. Public health officials are working closely with our colleagues across the country and our partners in Nova Scotia to limit the spread of the virus and increase capacity within the health system to respond.
During this state of emergency, we must all work together to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here are important steps we are requiring all Nova Scotians to take:
- Stay home as much as possible. When you are out, practice social distancing by limiting contact with other people (stay 2 metres (6 feet) apart) and have no more than 5 people together
- Shop only for essentials, such as groceries and prescription medication and only have one person doing the shopping
- If you’ve traveled outside the province, self-isolate for 14 days
- If you feel unwell, go to 811.novascotia.ca and use the self-assessment questionnaire to find out if you need to call 811
- Wash your hands often, avoid touching your face and clean surfaces regularly
I understand that this situation may be creating a lot of fear. This is normal. However, it’s important that we respond, not in fear, but with caring, a sense of community and common sense. No one person is responsible, but we can all be part of the solution. If someone in your community is self-isolating or ill, what they need is your support, compassion and understanding. I encourage you to:
- Check in with those closest to you by phone, text or social media
- Have a video chat with someone in isolation
- Make sure your neighbours have what they need
- Encourage people to get information from reliable sources, like: novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Following public health direction and supporting each other is how we will beat this virus.
For the latest information, advice and resources, visit:
- Government of Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
- Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus
For general information on novel coronavirus information, call:
Toll-free: 1-833-784-4397
For updates on social media, follow:
- Government of Nova Scotia Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nsgov/
- Government of Nova Scotia Twitter account: https://twitter.com/nsgov
- Department of Health and Wellness Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NovaScotiaHealthAndWellness/
- Department of Health and Wellness Twitter account: https://twitter.com/nshealth
We will continue to provide you with the latest information to help you protect yourself, your family and community members. Thank you for your help in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our province.
Dr. Robert Strang
Chief Medical Officer of Health
Province of Nova Scotia
March 28, 2020
Dear Friends and Family of Rosecrest Communities,
As of March 28, the Magnolia Continuing Care Community has one staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Our staff member has been isolated appropriately and is managing well. We are working with Public Health officials to determine if any resident or staff who were in close contact with this individual has been affected. We are taking full precautionary measures as directed by Public Health and we are working closely with the Department of Health & Wellness and Nova Scotia Health Authority to ensure the safety of all residents and staff. All families and staff have been notified of the situation.
Thank you for your continued support throughout this time. We are proud of our staff and the extended Rosecrest community in adopting measures to keep our residents and staff safe and will continue to ensure that we contribute towards flattening the curve.
Tracy Bonner BScN, RN
Administrator, Rosecrest Communities
March 27, 2020
Hello my Lovelies,
Here we are on Friday and I trust this message finds you well. As global concern about the current COVID-19 outbreak grows, we’re all doing our best to keep everyone healthy and safe at home and in the workplace.
We’re closely monitoring the situation and know that misinformation and fear can spread more quickly than the virus itself.
As always, please reach out with any thoughts or inquiries.
Best wellness wishes,
JoAnn
March 25, 2020
Construction Safety Nova Scotia – Information regarding social distancing onsite.
March 23, 2020
March 18, 2020
Visit the link below for additional information on the coronavirus from the Office of the Employer Advisor Nova Scotia Society:
March 17, 2020
Information to Continuing Care Sector:
March 16, 2020
Important Notice to Employees:
Please note that all safety training between March 16th and March 31st, 2020 is cancelled until further notice. Training schedules will be reassessed at the end of March and employees will be advised of future dates.
March 16, 2020
COVID-19 is an illness caused by a coronavirus. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold.
What are the symptoms?
- Patients with confirmed COVID-19 have mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath and/or pneumonia.
Note – Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus.
Coronaviruses are most commonly spread from an infected person through:
- Respiratory droplets generated when you cough or sneeze;
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
- Touching something with the virus on it, then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands;
The best way to prevent the spread of infections is to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue and not your hands; and
- Stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
Pre-cautionary measures:
- Stevens Group is strongly encouraging the practice of social distancing amongst all employees, which includes the following:
- Avoid close contact with others by maintaining 2 meters (6 feet) of separation whenever possible;
- Conduct meetings over the phone rather than in person;
- Do not shake hands when greeting people (use verbal greetings only);
- Working from home where deemed practical by the manager of an employee;
Additional information:
- Please visit https://811.novascotia.ca/health_topics/covid-19-when-to-call-811/ for more information on when to call 811.
March 14, 2020
Information to Continuing Care Sector:
Additional Information
Information to Continuing Care Sector COVID-19 FAQ www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Better Information for all our employees