Outbreak declared at Perley and Rideau veterans’ centre

Residents are confined to their rooms at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre where a COVID -19 outbreak was declared Thursday after two staffers tested positive.

No residents have tested positive and the registered practical nurse and personal support worker were not exposed at work but infection control measures have been implemented, the centre said.

The staff members worked separate shifts in the Ottawa 1 East (Convalescence) and Gatineau 2 South unit. Both are now in isolation at home after suffering “mild” symptoms.

The centre is conducting priority testing and ongoing screening of residents and staff, providing personal protective equipment and masking residents while outside their rooms.

All staff will wear masks inside the health centre.

All activities are cancelled so staff can complete one-on-one programming such as helping residents video chat with their loved ones.

The outbreak precautions were ordered by managers after Ottawa Public Health confirmed the two employees had been exposed to the virus while outside of the health centre.

As of Thursday, there were 15 COVID-19 outbreaks in Ottawa institutions including retirement homes, long-term care facilities and hospitals.

The non-profit Perley Rideau

includes 450 long-term care beds for veterans and members of the public and 139 independent-living apartments with more than 850 staff.

“The health and safety of our residents and staff are our Number 1 priority,” Perley Rideau CEO Akos Hoffer said in a statement.

“We are counting on all of our health care partners and our donors to ensure that the resources we require are available when we need them.” mgillis@postmedia.com