Gatineau seniors residence battling COVID outbreak
A seniors residence in Gatineau is battling the largest current COVID-19 outbreak in Quebec, with 71 of its 165 residents, or 43 per cent, infected with the virus.
Three residents have died of the disease at Chartwell Domaine Notre-Dame on Amherst Street since the outbreak was declared on Nov. 6, Marie-France Lemay, Chartwell's vice-president of operations and sales, confirmed in an email Thursday.
Eleven staff members at the home have also tested positive, she said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family and loved ones of these individuals. We know this is also difficult news for our staff and community of family members,” Lemay said.
Domaine Notre-Dame is the only Outaouais facility of the 15 listed in Quebec's “red zone” of critical COVID-19 outbreaks.
The province's next largest outbreaks are at Les Bâtisseurs Matane in Bas-Saint-Laurent, with 66 infections, and Domaines des ainés in Saguenay-Lac Saint-Jean, with 65.
The Domaine Notre-Dame outbreak is also the largest in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. Aggressive infection-control measures have brought serious outbreaks in Ottawa under control. Just five COVID-19 infections remain at hard-hit Extendicare Starwood and there are currently no resident infections at Extendicare West End Villa. Those two long-term care homes suffered 23 and 18 deaths respectively during the fall resurgence of the COVID-19 virus.
Lemay said Chartwell has been co-operating with provincial health officials to tackle the outbreak at Domaine Notre-Dame.
“We are working closely with the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais (CISSS) and Public Health, and are following all government directives. We have heightened protocols in place, including isolation, PPE, stable staffing levels and IPAC protocols,” she said.
“We know that this is an exceptionally difficult time and the deep concern this creates for family members. With the support of our extremely committed employees, most especially under these outbreak conditions, we continue to do everything possible to minimize the further transmission of the virus at Chartwell Domaine Notre-Dame.”