ESTEVAN - It was a difficult fall for the staff and residents at Hill View Manor, thanks to an outbreak of COVID-19 that was declared at the personal care home, but they have emerged from it and the residents have been slowly returning to more normal life.
The outbreak was declared in mid-September and wasn’t lifted until Dec. 6. Stacey Westerhaug, who is the site’s administrator, said 26 residents were diagnosed with the virus. She started at the lodge in late September, after the first cases had already been diagnosed.
Most of the residents showed mild symptoms, but two with COVID died.
The outbreak took a toll on residents, both mentally and physically.
“It was hard when they had the mild symptoms to be isolated into the rooms,” said Westerhaug. “Thankfully we have an amazing team here, and we took extra time.”
Those who didn’t test positive, or who recovered from COVID, were still able to move about within the house where they lived. Westerhaug said they have four houses with 10 rooms each, and if someone lives in House 1, they could move about that area, but couldn’t go to the other three pods.
“We intermingle our houses all the time, outside of COVID, so they do have friends and close ones in different houses, but they weren’t able to go and visit them,” said Westerhaug.
Residents weren’t allowed to leave except during medical appointments. They were allowed to have one visitor, under special circumstances, but that visitor always had to be the same person.
They could still eat their meals in the common areas of each house, but they had to be six feet apart, so they were spread into the living room, kitchen and hallway. They could see their friends, but they had to speak up to communicate due to the six-foot difference.
The large common area that faces the valley to the south was not open during the outbreak.
All of the precautions were taken to keep the residents safe, and to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Hill View Manor is now open to the public. They’re not hosting big gatherings, and they want to keep their distance as much as possible. Residents are offered masks when gathering.
They can intermingle to an extent with the other houses.
“They’re very happy to see their loved ones. They’re very happy that they don’t have to yell at each other at the breakfast and dinner tables. They’re very happy to have activities back, because during COVID, we have to cease activities. We needed all of the help we can get with the care, so the activities team helped.”
A Christmas Party is planned on Dec. 24. Families can come in, but they’re trying to keep the social distance and wear a mask if they can’t keep the six feet apart.
