Madonna Care PSW dies from COVID-19

A personal support worker at Ottawa’s Madonna Community Care Centre has died from COVID-19, raising the death toll at one of the city’s worst-hit long-term care homes.

It also marks the first death of a health-care worker in the city from the respiratory illness.

The company that owns and operates the Orléans facility, Sienna Senior Living, confirmed the death Thursday afternoon.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and colleagues on behalf of everyone at Madonna,” said Natalie Gokchenian, a spokeswoman for the Markham-based firm.

“The loss of a colleague is truly heartbreaking during an already difficult time.”

The name of the man has not been released. He worked at the long-term care facility for 12 years.

“He was a loved and respected team member and will be missed by his colleagues and the residents he cared for,” the company said in a statement.

Earlier this month, staff members from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the Royal were brought in to assist the beleaguered staff at the Madonna centre.

The personal support worker had not been sick with COVID-19 for very long, said Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE, to which the worker belonged.

“He succumbed very quickly.” Four personal support workers in Ontario have now died from COVID -19. Two custodians working in health facilities have also died, said Hurley.

Infection rates among healthcare workers in Ontario — representing 16.4 per cent of all cases — are significantly higher than they are in many countries, said Hurley.

“Staff are severely disadvantaged because they are not equipped properly,” said Hurley.

At least 30 residents have died at the home from COVID-19. Staff shortages and infection control practices there have been the focus of concern by families and health workers.

One registered nurse, who was hired by a staffing agency to work at the home, said she was asked to leave after just three hours because she raised concerns that use of personal protective equipment was not safe and did not meet public health guidelines. Among other things, she was told to insert drops in a COVID-19-positive resident’s eyes without full protective gear. She said she is not surprised by the size of the outbreak at the home.

Another nurse, who came from The Ottawa Hospital to help fill staffing gaps, described a health worker who was on his fourth 16hour shift in a row.

The union CUPE, meanwhile, has filed a grievance because the Royal sent hospital staff to work at the home before conducting infection protection control and risk assessment reviews as required.

Families and temporary staff who have worked at the home all praised staff members there, saying they are working flat-out, trying to do the best they can in an impossible situation.

Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton said Thursday the province would launch a review of long-term care.

“My heart breaks for the lives lost as a result of this pandemic. Our government has been clear: the system is broken. Long-term care has endured years of neglect. Once we emerge from this pandemic, we will get to the bottom of this.”

Meanwhile, Ottawa’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, offered condolences on Thursday night to the family, friends and colleagues of the health worker who died. “It is very difficult to lose members of the health-care community, and we are devastated by this loss on top of the loss of so many residents.”

Ottawa Public Health will test those who have had close contact with the individual. epayne@postmedia.com