In two weeks five outbreaks have been declared at Barrie long-term care facilities. A Bradford facility in outbreak since April 4 continues to see resident infections and deaths from the virus.
A new outbreak in a small Simcoe County town now also includes an infected resident.
For weeks residents at long-term care facilities in the region have been in lockdown. Weekly activities are cancelled, in many cases residents are served their meals in their rooms, where they remain in isolation for their physical protection. No visitors have been allowed in facilities since the beginning of March, in some cases even earlier than that.
But isolation takes its own toll.
“There is no doubt in my mind that is very hard on the people in that situation for many reasons,” said Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe-Muskoka region. “It would be hard on any of us to be confined to our rooms without direct contact with loved ones. All the more so if we’re frightened because of an outbreak. And then all the more so if we’re a case affected by it. And then all the more so for people with dementia, because they would be that much more challenged to understand what’s happening.”
Gardner was reflecting on mental health during a media briefing this afternoon as today marks the start of Mental Health Week.
“I have often reflected on how hard the present circumstance is on us all,” said Gardner. “It’s hard on our mental well-being and I think it’s hard on our physical wellbeing. It impedes social interaction, and it impedes physical activity, which we know is important for our health and mental health. And it impedes our ability to get out and enjoy green space, and other things that are good for us.”
Gardner has often encouraged people to continue to be physically active, but in ways that observe physical distancing protocols.
“I always feel it’s an important thing to do and it’s important for mental health as well,” said Gardner.
But for seniors living in long-term care homes, a walk on a local trail isn’t an option.
“I don’t have a good answer,” said Gardner in response to the question of also protecting mental health for long-term care residents. “We have to do what we can to allow them as much social contact as would be permitted under the circumstances … and we have to provide loving care.”
He encouraged distance communication through technology and visits through the windows.
He said he saw one report of a long-term care facility using a plexi-glass visiting booth.
But much of a long-term care patient’s physical and mental health now relies on those providing them with daily care.
“I think the people providing care are called upon to do heroic work under very difficult circumstances, particularly if there’s an outbreak happening,” said Gardner. “Even without [an outbreak] it would still be highly stressful because of restrictions in place, because they have to wear PPE, and because of the potential for an outbreak.”
Today, Gardner announced nine new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in long-term care residents in Tay, Bradford, and Barrie. There were an additional 15 cases of community members not associated with long-term care outbreaks.
Approximately one-quarter of the region’s confirmed cases are related to one of seven long-term care facility outbreaks in Simcoe County.
Nine of the 20 deaths reported in the region were residents at Bradford Valley Care Community, where 11 staff and 25 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus.
There is one resident at Bayview Retirement Home in Waubaushene now infected with COVID-19, 14 residents at Owen Hill Care Community in Barrie, one resident at Whispering Pines Retirement Residence, and one at Allandale Station Retirement Residence. The latter two facilities were just announced in outbreak on the weekend.
“These are very vulnerable people in a very vulnerable environment,” said Gardner.
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has posted links and resources for mental health support for both adults and youth on its website here. Gardner encouraged anyone to visit the site and look at the resources available to help them through the added stresses isolation can bring.
