Photo: Kaigo

The manager of Vernon's Heritage Square seniors home – where a COVID-19 outbreak has claimed seven lives – says staff are "doing an amazing job under the most difficult of situations."

“Sadly, Interior Health is finishing the week by reporting that another two people have died due to COVID-19," Interior Health CEO Susan Brown said Friday as the number of cases in the outbreak climbed at Heritage Square.

"Both people passed away in long-term care, bringing the total number of families in IH who have lost loved ones to this pandemic to 46."

Director of operations Wendy Calhoun with home operator Kaigo praised her staff for their hard work under the trying circumstances.

The long-term care home outbreak has seen 58 cases among 44 residents and 14 staff, with seven deaths.

IH declared the outbreak on Dec. 27, when four staff members and six residents tested positive.

At that time, IH said additional infection control and preventive measures were put in place, including enhanced cleaning protocols and COVID-19 visitor policies.

The operator also implemented a temporary stop to all visits across the site as an added precaution.

"We are managing the house under the rules and regulations and guidelines as outlined by Interior Health," said Calhoun.

Contacted by a family member of a resident who told Castanet people are still "coming and going" from the facility, IH spokesperson Susan Duncan confirmed only essential visits are permitted by the Ministry of Health order, "such as visiting residents who are palliative."

"It would be cruel not to let family members see loved ones who are in their final days," she said.

Calhoun reiterated that position, noting the facility has also assisted living residents and staff who come and go.

"People have to come in and out," she said Friday. "That is why we have greeters at the door, to make sure people need to be there, and they are escorted to the resident's room."

She said only essential visitors are allowed under strict guidelines.

Across the Interior Health region, outbreaks continue at Creekside Landing and Noric House long-term care in Vernon, Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna, Village by the Station in Penticton, Mountainview Village in Kelowna, Brocklehurst Gemstone long-term care in Kamloops, and Williams Lake Seniors Village.