Key Takeaways:
- According to the head of the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of four more New Brunswickers.
- A total of 1,529 people have been infected, according to department spokesperson Rebecca Howland, including 938 residents and 591 employees.
COVID-19 has declared the lives of four more New Brunswickers, according to the head of the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes, who claims the virus is expanding faster than ever in nursing homes across the province.
According to the COVID dashboard, an individual in their 80s died in the Saint John region, Zone 2, an individual in their 80s died in the Bathurst region, Zone 6, as well as 2 persons in their 90s, died in the Miramichi region, Zone 7.
There has been no other information discharged about them, such as whether they died from COVID or just had COVID at the time of their death, their vaccination status, or any underlying health conditions.
Their deaths take the whole number of deaths in the province to 54 in 14 days since it was downgraded from the most restrictive Level 3 to Level 2 and 282 since the outbreak began.
Also read: Hospitals reach 90 percent capacity with three more COVID-19 deaths in NB
At the Rocmaura home in Saint John, 70 people are sick.
According to Michael Keating, interim CEO of the nursing homes association, the Omicron variant may be milder than earlier waves, but it’s more infectious, and it’s wreaking havoc.
He cites one large nursing home where the virus has infected nearly half of the residents.
“There are upwards of 70 residents who are ill at Rocmaura [Nursing Home] in Saint John,” Keating said. “As far as I know, only 1 individual has passed.”
“Of course, the other hit is that employees are getting sick and are unable to come to work, putting extreme stress on the remaining employees.”
COVID has forced about half of the Rocmaura staff to take time off, according to Keating.
The Delta variant “hit nursing homes pretty hard,” according to Keating, who noted that more than 20 lives were lost.
He said that the Omicron variant’s “saving grace” isn’t killing as many people, and the residents aren’t getting sick as much.
Outbreaks have been reported in 65 long-term care facilities.
According to the Department of Social Development, there seem to be 65 COVID outbreaks in long-term care homes throughout the province, such as 16 nursing homes, as of Friday.
According to department spokesperson Rebecca Howland, a total of 1,529 people have been infected, including 938 residents and 591 employees.
Just three weeks ago, there were 47 outbreaks and 541 people infected.
According to an emailed statement from Howland, there are 346 COVID residents and 405 staff in nursing homes.
She said that during the 5th wave, which started last month, 19 people have died, including six in nursing homes.
The homes’ names and locations have not been revealed.
“We can’t say much about particular situations at facilities due to confidentiality concerns,” Howland said.
In the province, there are approximately 71 nursing homes.
Special care homes, memory care homes, generalist care homes, homeless shelters, transition houses, as well as community residences are among the other long-term care facilities affected.
“Under the direction of Public Health, the Social Development COVID Responder Team has been helping homes by providing resources, infection prevention as well as control support, PPE [personal protective equipment], and guidance throughout these responses,” she said.
“The COVID Response Team, which is part of the department, coordinates additional cleanup, meal services, and supplies, as well as supplemental staff.”
According to Howland, 96.8% of long-term care residents had received two vaccine doses as of Friday.
Source: Global News
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