Masking returns to Northwood as COVID-19 cases escalate
HALIFAX, N.S. — Masking rules have returned to Northwood, one of Halifax Regional Municipality’s largest senior care facilities, as COVID-19 cases are on the rise.
In an update this week, management said they are taking steps to protect residents during “respiratory season.”
“Respiratory season (Influenza,RSV) is fast approaching, and we are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases within our communities and our facilities,” was written in the update posted online Wednesday.
In an email on Friday, Murray Stenton, a spokesperson for Northwood, specified that the COVID cases are only in their Halifax campus and it involves several floors.
He said there are a number of staff and resident cases but didn’t say exactly how many.
More cases this week
“We have seen sporadic cases in our facilities over the last number of months, however the number of positive cases we have seen this week is larger,” Stenton said.
“We are working closely with Public Health and have instituted infection control protocols. COVID- 19 is very active in the community at this time.”
A Sept. 16 update on Northwood’s website said that there was an increase in COVID-19 cases “in several areas of the Halifax campus.”
Masking will now be required for staff and visitors at all buildings and may be removed for eating and drinking if physically distanced from other people.
“Visitors are required to keep mask on unless they alone in a room with a loved one,” the update said.
They’re also cutting down on cross-site movement, asking that only essential staff visit multiple sites and moving meetings online. Northwood has offices and campuses throughout HRM, particularly in Halifax, Bedford and Beaver Bank.
Early in the pandemic, COVID-19 swept through Northwood with 53 deaths. Some died without even seeing family as the building was quarantined. Management took steps — including masking, testing and screening — to reduce the risk of it happening again. A class-action lawsuit was launched in 2020 over the handling of their pandemic response and is still underway.
Fall COVID and flu vaccines
In August, a spokesperson for the province’s Health Department said it will be important for Nova Scotians to get influenza and COVID vaccines this fall. Details of the influenza and COVID-19 vaccine rollout have not yet been released.
In an email on Friday, Khalehla Perrault with the Department of Health and Wellness said again that details on the influenza and COVID-19 vaccine rollouts “will be communicated with Nova Scotians soon.”
