The number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to increase at the Parphilia-Ferland residential and long-term care center in Saint-Charles-Borromée. Three new people were diagnosed positive on Friday, for a total of 26 confirmed cases.
Among them, 23 residents are affected, three more than the day before, as well as three employees of the establishment, confirmed to the Duty the CISSS de Lanaudière.
The outbreak, which began last Sunday, is concentrated – and contained – in unit 1B of the CHSLD located within the Lanaudière Regional Hospital Center, north of Joliette. The unit in question has 34 residents, out of a total of 170 throughout the CHSLD. So far, no deaths have been reported.
Contacted by The Duty Friday, the management of the CISSS de Lanaudière declined our interview requests. Its deputy director general, Philippe Éthier, however assured in an interview with Radio-Canada Friday morning that all residents and staff members have already undergone a screening test. Visitors and caregivers who have recently introduced themselves will also be tested.
For their part, the union staff representatives of the establishment emphasized the rapid reaction of the CISSS de Lanaudière. From the first cases detected on Sunday, prevention and control measures have been increased. A hot zone has been created to transfer all residents declared positive. All employees and residents of Unit 1B were screened and the entire unit was disinfected.
“It has nothing to do with the start of the pandemic this spring, where there was a lot of improvisation. There, we have protocols in place, we know what to do when it happens. […] I hope that no one will be lost this time, ”confided in an interview with Ginette Morin, vice-president of the Union of Workers of the CISSS de Lanaudière.
In the first wave this spring, 14 residents were infected with the coronavirus and five died. However, the outbreak had occurred in another unit of the CHSLD.
It has nothing to do with the start of the pandemic this spring, where there was a lot of improvisation
Since we have the situation well in hand, Mr.me Morin remains hopeful that the outbreak will not spread to other units, recalling that there is no movement of personnel.
Origin of the outbreak
However, she wonders about the origin of the outbreak. “Since the deconfinement, the visits have started again. And even if we have strict protection measures, we do not know if in the rooms families keep their masks and their distances in a systematic way, for example, ”she notes.
Stéphane Cormier, the president of the Interprofessional Union of Lanaudière, has the same questions. He wonders if the outbreak was not coming from a staff member.
“Before the outbreak, one of the employees felt symptoms, but it was not warm. He was tested and the result came out negative, so he continued to work, he says. But two days later, it was hot and there a second test came out positive. “
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There is no indication at this time that this worker has introduced COVID-19 into the establishment. It could also come from a new admission or a visitor. Mr. Cormier wonders, however: “Shouldn’t we do more in prevention and remove any member of the staff feeling any symptoms related to the virus?” We don’t know everything about the coronavirus, we still learn it every day. It would take more prevention. “
Questioned on the subject the day before, the Prime Minister Francois Legault confirmed an investigation to determine the origin of this outbreak. Has a visitor, attendant or caregiver introduced the virus into the facility? How did the virus then spread among residents? “We are in the process of examining whether the protective equipment was used,” he continued. It is certain that there was no lack of protective equipment, masks or other at this CHSLD. “
In his eyes, the situation is “very serious” and “very worrying”. “The important thing is to intervene very quickly to avoid serious consequences,” added the Prime Minister.
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