Quebec seeking backup for care homes

MONTREAL • The Quebec government is looking for reinforcements in its fight against COVID-19 in the province’s understaffed longterm care homes.

Premier François Legault said Tuesday the province will look to medical specialists and health sciences instructors to help longterm care homes that were already dealing with a lack of personnel before the epidemic.

The move came as Quebec saw its biggest one-day jump in the number of COVID-19 deaths, rising by 75 to reach a total of 435. The province says nearly half of deaths are tied to seniors residences.

The government has been redeploying hospital employees to long-term care, but the facilities remain short of staff. So the premier has put the call out to anyone with relevant training to help if they can.

Legault drew inspiration from the story of Dr. Nadine Larente, director of professional services for the health authority serving western Montreal. In an exclusive interview with La Presse, Larente recalled being the first health-care official to arrive at Residence Herron, a long-term care facility in Dorval, Que. where 31 people have died in less than a month.

She described treating patients while enlisting her husband and three children — ages 13, 15, 17 — to distribute meals and talk to elderly residents.

“You know, when dramas happen, there are always people who stand out for exceptional humanity,” Legault said.

At least 1,250 orderlies and attendants working in the homes either have COVID-19 or are unwilling to work for fear of being infected, officials said.

“I’m asking everybody available, every health worker to come forward and help us,” Legault said. “I appeal to your sense of duty to help us protect the most vulnerable.”

The province also announced it will relax rules on outside caregivers, who have been barred from the residences since the March 13 shutdown.

Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec’s director of public health, said under measures to take effect Thursday, caregivers will have to be identified by management as having done the job previously, they will have to test negative for COVID-19 and follow hygiene measures. They will also sign a consent form.

Family members will still not be permitted to visit their loved ones.

“This is really tragic, it’s a human tragedy, what’s happening right now,” said Health Minister Danielle McCann.

There are 14,247 confirmed coronavirus cases in the province, with 936 people requiring hospitalization. Officials say 230 are in intensive care.

Legault said the province completed a cursory look at all 2,600 residences and long-term care homes — both private and public — and identified 41 as needing special attention because of the high number of cases.