Northern Health is implementing enhanced COVID-19 precautions at Gateway Lodge in Prince George following lab confirmation of a single COVID-positive case in a staff member. Communication with Gateway Lodge staff, residents, and families is underway.
At this time, there is no evidence of transmission of illness among staff and residents at Gateway. As a precaution, NH Medical Health Officers have declared an outbreak in the Cedar Wing at Gateway Lodge (upper west wing, 2nd floor), based on criteria for declaring outbreaks in care settings. In this case, it is a single lab-confirmed case in a staff member, who worked during their potential infectious period.
NH long-term care facilities have implemented very clear policies and procedures for COVID-19 infection prevention and control, and the risk of transmission to residents, staff and physicians at Gateway.
Northern Health Public Health is closely monitoring for additional cases, and NH is taking steps to protect the health of staff and those they care for, with enhanced outbreak measures such as:
- Cleaning and infection control measures have been enhanced
- Increased symptom monitoring among all Gateway staff and
- Limiting movement of residents between the affected wing, and the rest of the facility
As this outbreak is precautionary and for a single wing in the facility, pre-arranged social visits are not suspended, and may continue, at this time.
The precautionary outbreak declaration will be in place until at least December 9, 2020, which is 14 days after any potential exposure to confirmed cases at either facility. If there is still no evidence of transmission of illness after that time, the outbreak can be declared over.
More information on public exposures, school exposures, and facility or community outbreaks of COVID-19 within the Northern Health region.