Another outbreak at McFarland Memorial Home

Just 10 days after ending a previous COVID-19 outbreak, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has declared another facility-wide COVID-19 outbreak at Prince Edward County's long-term care facility.

The outbreak is affecting residents of the Whispering Pines and Maplewood Walk units of the H.J. McFarland Memorial Home in Picton. The home has four wings with a population of approximately 85 residents. Affected residents will be closely monitored and re-tested for COVID-19 on a set schedule and placed on contact and aerosol precautions. For confidentiality reasons, H.J. McFarland Memorial Home officials cannot share any identifiable or additional information about the positive cases.

To help limit the spread of infection, the Home is continuing with these additional safety measures, including:

H.J. McFarland is closed to admissions.

General visitors are temporarily prohibited. Residents or their substitute decision-maker must identify one designated caregiver or support worker who is permitted to visit for the duration of the outbreak.

Visitors must conduct a rapid antigen test and get a negative test result before they may enter the Home, and they must wear appropriate personal protective equipment for the duration of their visit.

All staff members working at the Home and the residents are being tested and monitored for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Enhanced housekeeping measures are in place, including extra cleaning of all high-touch surfaces and common areas.

All general visitors must participate in on-site COVID-19 surveillance testing regardless of vaccination status.

Status updates on the outbreak will be sent directly to the families of residents. In addition, updates will be shared on the County's website and social media channels, Facebook and Twitter.