Flu Season UPDATE: Visiting Columbus Residence
With the transmission of respiratory illnesses such as influenza, RSV and cold viruses beginning to increase, the Ministry of Health has provided new, temporary infection control guidance for health care facilities during Viral Respiratory Illness (VRI) season.
Here are key updates for visitors at Columbus Residence effective Monday January 13:
- Staff and all visitors (family, contractors, volunteers) are required to wear a mask while in the building. Residents are not required to wear a mask.Mask wearing is for the entire time visitors are in the building.
Exception: visits in a resident’s room – family members or friends may remove mask while in resident room visiting with their loved ones.
- Visitors cannot eat with or share food with residents outside the resident’s room or resident kitchen.
Reminders for all for a holistic approach to infection prevention:
- Practice appropriate hand hygiene
- Stay up to date with vaccinations
- Avoid visits when experiencing fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough and other symptoms
These measures will remain in effect until VRI season is officially declared over in the spring (March/April), based on ongoing reviews of BC’s VRI epidemiology and health system trends.
Thank you for your diligence and compliance with these measures in trying to keep our residents at Columbus Residence healthy and safe during the VRI season.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to either Jaime Ascher, Executive Director at jasher@columbusresidence.ca or Ricky Chau, Director of Care at rchau@columbusresidence.ca
February Events
See our Programs & Events Calendar and our Winter Newsletter for the dates and times of the highlight social events scheduled for February.
Music is in the Air: Music Events in February
Main Floor:
- Music by Van Strings – Sunday February 9 @ 3:30 p.m.
- Music by Angie Faith – Thursday February 13 @ 2:45 p.m. (St. Valentine’s Tea)
- Music by Mike Kinal (Birthday Party)– Thursday February 27 @ 2:45 p.m.
4th Floor:
- Music by Loraine Smith – Tuesday February 11 @ 2:00 p.m.
- Music by Pete Campbell – Tuesday February 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
- Music by Bob Collins – Tuesday February 25 @2:00 p.m.
Spiritual Care Corner