April 2023 Update
Hi Everyone,
Three long years have passed since COVID transmission-limiting lockdowns happened. Gratefully, we have moved on. Moreover, our CP Team, Members and Families all contributed to keeping COVID out of Cardinal Place. Now, our task continues to keep the harm of COVID to as little as possible. Yes, it is still with us. However, we can manage with your cooperation.
What is Cardinal Place doing about it?
We have updated some policies and are continuing others:
- rapid testing at our door for members and guests,
- twice weekly rapid testing for all staff,
- allowing unvaccinated individuals in the building ONLY with strict masking of both guest and Member,
- fully vaccinating all of our Members,
- requiring new Members to get vaccinated,
- requiring masking of all staff, outside care providers and guests,
- facilitating vaccine boosters for our Team.
- introducing a new online risk assessment tool (see below)
- introducing a new tool for antibody immune testing for Members and Staff. (see below)
An exciting new tool was purchased and delivered today. It is a blood test for active COVID antibodies. It is Health Canada approved but is not paid for by OHIP yet. Cardinal Place has purchased these tests for all Members and Staff. It will be extremely valuable to know one's antibody immune status against the current developing wave of COVID. It will also give individuals an insight for the timing of a vaccine booster.
..."To help keep our loved ones safe this winter Cardinal Place and Audacia Bioscience are introducing the Test, Treat and Track initiative.
Audacia Bioscience developed a COVID-19 symptoms risk tool (www.CovidRiskTool.me) to help individuals conduct a personalized risk assessment to track their immune status level. The tool provides valuable information about risk for severe symptoms. The key benefit of utilizing the COVID-19 Risk Assessment tool is to help your and your loved one know where they are on the COVID-19 Symptoms Risk Index. The knowledge to distinguish between your high, moderate and low symptoms risk situations can help you make better decisions, and ultimately save a life.
We have reached a critical stage in the battle against COVID-19 and, as vaccination efforts continue, new virus variants emerge. This has us all wondering if we are sufficiently protected from this challenging virus. One of the best ways to determine if you have any protection against the COVID-19 virus is with an Antibody test. The new advanced Antibody test is Health Canada approved and is a quick home test that will give you results in just 1 minute from a drop of blood. For our seniors, taking a quick Antibody test should help avoid prolonged isolation. The tool can also assist with dose timing, ensuring we get them through the winter months with the highest level of protection possible and ensure your loved one has a good immune response to their most recent shot. There are now treatments for COVID-19. If you or a family member are at high or moderate risk and have no detectable antibodies, then it is important that you are aware of the treatment options to avoid severe symptoms." (Audacia Bioscience)
In the meantime, again, I encourage everyone to do their part in keeping each other safe. Use the new tool, use the online risk assessment, keep your vaccination status (and therefore your COVID antibodies) up to date. Do what you can to avoid being a vector of infection to others.
I am keenly aware of the sacrifices and weariness we are all experiencing, and I am deeply grateful for your ongoing professionalism and commitment of care.
In solidarity,
Mike
Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.
Check out our latest BLOG post:
Cardinal Place is 100% vaccinated against COVID-19. Why is this important?