Three more residents have died in a COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care home in Esquimalt.
Island Health released a statement Thursday confirming the latest deaths at Sunset Lodge, where four people have died since an outbreak was declared Aug. 27.
“Island Health extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of these individuals, and to the staff who continue to provide compassionate care through this difficult time,” the health authority said. “Out of respect for the privacy of these people and their families, we will not be sharing any further details.”
Island Health also confirmed another COVID-19 case was identified in a resident at Sunset Lodge, but it is no longer considered active.
In total, 36 people — 15 staff and 21 residents — have tested positive for the disease linked to the outbreak. The first death linked to the outbreak was announced by Island Health Sept. 1.
Island Health said control measures have been in place since the outbreak was first declared and that a COVID-19 rapid response team remains on scene at the care home.
The health authority said its Chief Medical Health Officer is “confident” that appropriate measures are in place at Sunset Lodge, and added they’re being reviewed on a regular basis.
Those measures include:
- Resident and staff movement is limited
- Staffing levels are maintained to provide resident care
- Mask use and eye protection is required for all staff
- Social visitors are restricted but essential visits may occur
- Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures continue
- Communication with residents, families and staff
- Twice a day screening of all staff and residents continues
- Expanded COVID-19 testing will be done
Island Health has previously said that COVID-19 can have an incubation period, and it’s likely some new positive tests were a result of transmission that occurred prior to the outbreak being identified.
Sunset Lodge is owned and operated by the Salvation Army.
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