
Covid-19 info
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Today Jamie Lowery had a Zoom meeting with essential caregivers. He updated them on the outbreak and answered questions.
Here are the highlights:
- While we have been taken out of outbreak status, we are being very cautious about how to return to "normal" here at Cassellholme.
- As you've no doubt heard in the news, there are a number of variants that seem to be more contagious and easily spread. We want to be certain that everyone -- Residents, staff, essential caregivers, etc. are all protected in the best way possible before we reopen.
- Jamie explained what happened with the recent testing issues.
- He also outlined how testing will work, when essential caregivers are able to return.
- They [and staff] will be given rapid tests three times a week.
- If they get a positive result, they'll have to go to the hospital for a full PCR test and isolate until their results come back.
- If they get a negative result back from that in-depth test, they can come back to Cassellholme.
- Cassellholme has been conducting approximately 1,000 tests a week. Going forward, we'll be doing more than 1,800 a week. This is an important job, which adds many hours to the staff workload.
- It's important that everybody plays their part in staying safe and keeping our Residents healthy and happy!
Midweek roundup –
On Monday, our Residents received their second dose of COVID-19 Vaccine! A huge thank you to the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and to the fantastic Cassellholme Staff for making the day a great success! Check out some of the photos – https://www.facebook.com/cassellholme/
On Friday, the last isolated Residents will move back to their rooms/routines. We hope to end the outbreak status and start mapping out the safe return of essential caregivers to Cassellholme.
With so much good news, spring must be just around the corner...
questions@cassellholme.ca
We have been using the "gold standard" PCR test so far. As more people in the community get vaccinated, and if infection rates continue to fall, we'll transition to the rapid test.
Starting with the good news...
Residents are getting their second vaccine shots on Monday, March 1, 2021!
Now the not so good news…
We’ve had technical issues with our new questions@cassellholme.ca email – sorry about that. It's all fixed now, so we have to ask you to resend your queries. We’ll make every effort to answer them in Monday's update.
Which COVID test has Cassellholme been using? How are the results analyzed?
We are doing PCR testing as per the provided guidance. The collected swabs go directly to a Ministry-authorized lab in Toronto for analysis.
Without the essential caregivers, are Residents receiving additional support?
When can essential caregivers return to Cassellholme?
Please continue to write us: questions@cassellholme.ca and we will respond as quickly as we're able to get the answers.
You can also call the '300' phone [705-474-4250 ext. 300]
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- We have no symptomatic Residents
- All Residents are screened [temperature] twice a day and will be COVID tested tomorrow [Thursday, February 25, 2021]
- Residents who were in close contact with their essential caregivers [who previously tested positive] were immediately moved into isolation
- Two new Cassellholme activity staff are working directly with Residents in isolation to provide meaningful 1:1 activities [movement, playing cards, music listening, etc. dependent on Resident ability and interest], as well as connecting them with their immediate family or POA/SDM via FaceTime, Skype or Zoom
Staff:
- We have no symptomatic staff members
- There are currently no staffing shortages at Cassellholme
- Senior leadership meets daily with the health unit, hospital and Ministry
- All infection prevention/control procedures continue to be followed and the risk to Residents remains low
- Cassellholme and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit are working together to investigate reasons for the current outbreak status – see the related NEWS item https://www.cassellholme.ca/news/outbreak-investigation/
- 2 staff – 2 retested negative
- 10 essential caregivers – 9 retested negative
- 1 essential caregiver is isolating out of district and unable to be retested
As requested by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, all Cassellholme Residents will be retested on Thursday, February 25th.
CALL 705-474-4250 EXT. 300
If you are calling Cassellholme to check on a loved one’s health, use extension 300.
This extension is answered 5 days a week, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If we don't answer, please leave a message.
As you can imagine, we’re getting a lot of extra calls these days. Please be patient, we’re trying to return voicemail messages within 24 hours. This line is also used for general enquires.
Cassellholme’s management team meets daily to discuss, review and implement directives from the Ministry of Health, including the use of masks and other PPE for employees. This includes both the types of mask and the location where it should be worn. The team is ready to make any changes as soon as they are required.

Follow the Golden [government] Rule
We know it's frustrating to keep your distance and to speak from behind a mask. We’re all dealing with the same rules – here at Cassellholme and in our own families.
The provincial government is clear – failure to wear a face mask [NO EATING or DRINKING], or keep physical distance, can result in a loss of visiting privileges and your loved one may have to isolate for two weeks. None of us want that to happen.
Please download the new guidelines and/or this simplified visiting chart. Review them carefully before scheduling your next visit.

COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines are coming soon! Yippeee! Download and print the consent form. There are two copies of the form in the pdf – one for each vaccine shot. Print all four pages, sign and return them to Cassellh…
COVID-19 FAQs
Follow this link to see FAQs in relation to COVID-19.