By Cecilia Nasmith
The outbreak status at the Golden Plough Lodge, which began with the discovery of the COVID-19-positive status of an asymptomatic staffer on Dec. 19, was declared clear as of 3:30 p.m. Jan. 2.
The COVID-19 case turned out to be a single incident, and that staff member has returned to work, GPL director told the Northumberland County Community Health Committee Monday. Meanwhile, the province went into lockdown status and a number of additional preventive measures have gone into effect at the long-term-care facility, such as weekly swabbing for all staff members and separate entrances for staffers and for the one essential care giver each resident is permitted (each of whom has to provide weekly proof of a negative test).
Staffing is further strained by this latter development, Detlor added, as one staff member must be at each of the two entrances for screening.
The facility did well in an infection-prevention and -control assessment conducted by a Northumberland Hills Hospital, out of which came the recommendation to install dividers in the dining area for further protection. This is a step that will also be taken in the staff lunch room as well.
