Grisly statistics from care homes
CANADA’S COVID-19 DEATHS SOAR PAST PROJECTIONS JUST DAYS AFTER RELEASE
A rash of outbreaks in long-term care homes has pushed the number of COVID-19 deaths past the government’s worst short-term projections, even as public health officials see some positive signs in the broader numbers being reported.
On April 9, the Canadian government projected somewhere between 500 to 700 deaths caused by COVID-19 by April 16. Three days later, on April 12, total deaths shot up to 717, soaring past the worstcase scenario even earlier than predicted. On Monday, the number of deaths climbed again to 734.
The culprit is a series of grisly outbreaks in long-term care facilities across the country.
“All the provinces and territories are trying to do the best they can to strengthen the response in that area,” said Theresa Tam, the country’s chief public health officer. “Because that is driving the severe outcomes in Canada. That is absolutely a key feature of this epidemic.”
Canada has seen catastrophic outbreaks in Bobcaygeon, Ont., where 29 people died in a single facility and in Vancouver, B.C., where there were 21 reported outbreaks in long-term care facilities earlier in the month.
Tam said it varies from province to province, but she estimated that close to half of the deaths in Canada from COVID-19 were linked to long-term facilities, and that many of the community cases in the country can be traced back to one of these facilities.
Tam warned on Monday that although Canada’s trajectory on confirmed COVID-19 cases is looking increasingly positive, the fatality rate is likely to grow as the outbreaks in these facilities continue.
Quebec Premier François Legault said the vast majority of facilities in the province are well managed, according to a blitz of inspections ordered after 31 residents were found to have died at a private seniors’ residence in Dorval in the last month.
The facility made global headlines over Easter weekend after the province confirmed that staff “abandoned” its 150 residents and provincial health care workers found some seniors requiring immediate assistance, with others unfed and lying in soiled beds or diapers.
Tam said one thing that’s been evident from the pandemic response is that long-term care facilities need to improve on infection-prevention and control.
For instance, facilities vary widely in terms of the diligence of staff, when it comes to properly wearing masks — and leaving them on — for the duration of their shift.
We have a duty to look after those Who cannot look after themselves.
For instance, facilities vary widely in terms of the diligence of staff, when it comes to properly wearing masks — and leaving them on — for the duration of their shift.
Seniors Minister Deb Schulte reiterated federal guidelines on Monday for provincially managed longterm care facilities. She said the facilities are especially vulnerable due to the communal living spaces, shared health-care providers and the tendency for staff to work at multiple facilities.
Key recommendations included restricting visitors to only those essential for medical or compassionate care, screening all staff and visitors, and ensuring that any staff with symptoms are sent home to recover.
The guidelines also include training on infection-control measures, routine cleaning of highly-trafficked areas and limiting employees to a single facility, whenever possible. It’s common for part-time staff at these facilities to pick up hours at other homes in order to make up a full work week, but that practice could be juicing the infection rates, it is feared.
Schulte also said employees and residents should be using physical distancing “to the greatest extent possible, including meal times.”
Many facilities are already doing these things, said Schulte.
“Providing consistent guidance for long-term care homes across the country will save lives. But it will take much more than these guidelines to keep our seniors and vulnerable Canadians safe,” said Schulte. “It would be impossible to keep them safe without individual Canadians practising social distancing.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Monday that he is “laser-focused” on protecting people in long-term care facilities and has ordered that all patients and frontline workers get tested for the disease.
Ford made a point to thank former federal cabinet minister Jane Philpott, who is helping out at a facility in Markham, Ont., that houses 42 residents with developmental and physical disabilities. Like several other facilities, the Participation House is in the midst of a staff crisis as it struggles to cope with the pandemic.
“We have to look after the most vulnerable. We have a duty to look after those who cannot look after themselves,” said Ford. “I know it’s difficult but this virus is ruthless and it’s deadly.”
In Quebec, Legault said such staff crises are becoming self-sustaining and he’s looked into the possibility of raising wages. With fewer staff, the work gets harder and less attractive, and people are less likely to want to work there, he said.