H.J. McFarland Memorial Home in Prince Edward County has announced this morning that their first staff member has received the COVID-19 vaccine.
The long-term care home announced in a press release this morning, that Neeta Hansrajh received the shot last week at Kingston General Hospital.
The news comes as H.J. McFarland Memorial Home has updated its visitor policy.
“While we recognize the importance of residents connecting with their caregivers and support workers, we are urging people to be mindful of the province-wide shutdown and stay-at-home order by only visiting if absolutely necessary,” said executive director Kyle Cotton.
General visits to the home and short-stay absences are all cancelled at this time as the province-wide shutdown and stay-at-home order continues.
“Exceptions will be made on compassionate grounds if the resident is very ill or palliative”, said staff.
H.J McFarland Memorial Home will have designated screeners from a third-party company starting next week.
“Using an outside third-party contractor will ensure that our skilled workforce is meeting the care needs of the residents,” said Cotton.
He noted that it is currently not known specifically when residents will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Cotton said that they are currently in the process of getting consent forms filled out, so they can get the vaccine distributed as soon as possible. H.J McFarland Memorial Home does anticipate that they will be able to access the shots within the next month.
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