Extendicare Preston gives update on COVID outbreak: Six dead, 23 active resident cases

Extendicare Preston is providing more details about the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak at the Saskatoon care home.

In an emailed statement, Extendicare Preston confirmed six residents who tested positive for COVID had died since the onset of the outbreak Dec. 10.

“We have been in touch with these residents’ families to offer our heartfelt condolences,” the statement said.

The email also outlined the number of cases that have been reported at the home.

“At this time, there are 23 active resident cases in the home and two positive residents receiving care in hospital. 18 of our team members have tested positive, with 10 of these cases now resolved. All affected staff are recovering in self-isolation at home, until they are cleared to return to work by Public Health,” the statement said.

As well, Extendicare outlined the work it has done with COVID vaccinations.

“We are encouraged at the progress being made in vaccinating our residents and team members,” it said. “As of today, 52 of 61 eligible residents have been vaccinated. 14 team members have received both doses, and 15 are currently awaiting their second dose. We will continue to work with our health partners on further roll-out of the vaccine.”

The outbreak at the facility faced criticism Tuesday by Saskatchewan NDP Seniors Critic Matt Love.

Love called for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to take over operations at the facility as the province’s lone for-profit long-term care model. Extendicare also operates the Extendicare Parkside location in Regina, which had an outbreak resulting in around 200 cases and dozens of deaths.

Extendicare Preston says it continues to work closely with health partners to protect residents and contain the spread of COVID-19.

“We are doing everything possible to follow all provincial and local health directives, including adhering to (personal protective equipment) requirements and infection prevention and control practices advised by the SHA,” the statement reads.

Love also criticized the use of PPE within the facility Tuesday, something Extendicare looked to clear up in its Wednesday update.

“Our team audits PPE practices regularly to make sure everyone is following best practice protocol. We conduct on-the-spot training to ensure staff know what to do. Management does daily walk-arounds to demonstrate PPE best practices and provide guidance to any team members with questions. The SHA has been on-site regularly to support our team and review infection prevention and control practices and PPE use,” it said.

That statement echoes one offered by SHA CEO Scott Livingstone during the provincial COVID media conference Tuesday. He said the SHA’s local teams are being given daily updates on the situation, along with supporting the use of proper PPE.

At this time, however, Livingstone said the SHA hasn’t taken over operations of the home.

“The (SHA) has been working closely with local leadership with Extendicare and working to manage the situation. We have not entered into a co-management agreement with Preston Extendicare in Saskatoon,” he said during the media conference.