Winnipeg’s Ronald McDonald House has issued a “10-day pause” with stringent rules on socializing among families and a temporary visitor ban in the wake of a positive COVID-19 case.
Residents of the “home-away-from-home” facility — which provides rural Manitobans and out-of-province families with a place to stay when a child requires treatment at a local hospital — were informed a community member was ill with the virus on Friday.
“Due to a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the (Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba) house program, and in accordance with the RMHC Manitoba Reinstatement Plan, we are now in a 10-day pause effective today,” wrote chief executive officer Wendy Galagan, in a letter to staff, volunteers and families on Oct. 7.
Families are no longer allowed to visit each others’ rooms, common areas (including elevators) are to be accessed only by one household at a time, and strict social distancing is required in the dining room so two metres can be maintained between groups required to stay apart at separate tables.
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Devon McWilliams, who is a resident at Winnipeg’s Ronald McDonald House, has been sleeping on a couch and chair at the Health Sciences Centre.
Visitors will also not be permitted at the 62 Juno St. residence until Oct. 18.
Since receiving the notice, Devon McWilliams has been spending even more of her time at the Health Sciences Centre and sleeping between a couch and chair designated for visitors at the neonatal intensive care unit. The mother of three said she has only briefly snuck back to the house, usually around 4 a.m. when everyone else is asleep, to retrieve food and other supplies.
“This was my one safe place that I could go. It’s sad, but it is what it is. I don’t think anybody who’s staying here would’ve knowingly brought anything to anybody else here. We’re all running our own race, but we’re all in this together — all trying to protect each other,” she said.
McWilliams moved to Winnipeg from Pilot Mound during a difficult pregnancy four months ago after being refused care in rural Manitoba due to a lack of beds. Her youngest daughter was born a preemie. After months in the NICU, the duo is expected to move home later this month so they can reunite with family.
“This was my one safe place that I could go. It’s sad, but it is what it is. I don’t think anybody who’s staying here would’ve knowingly brought anything to anybody else here.”–Devon McWilliams
The mother, who has avoided COVID-19 throughout the pandemic, said she is grateful there have not been any other confirmed cases in the building since she arrived in Winnipeg.
“(RMHC staff) have always taken great care of us. Health checks every day, reminding us to sanitize. If somebody’s not wearing their mask properly, somebody’s right on it,” McWilliams added.
Another mother at the house echoed those comments.
Many parents are living in the residence alone and rely on their neighbours for support, said the parent, who spoke to the Free Press on the condition of anonymity.
“Of course, it’s lonely. But we will do what we have to (do to) keep each other safe,” the mother said via text, adding social media is proving to be a “wonderful” resource.
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Winnipeg’s Ronald McDonald House has issued a “10-day pause” with stringent rules on socializing among families and a temporary visitor ban in the wake of a positive COVID-19 case.
Despite the end of virtually all public health orders on March 15, the facility has maintained a masking requirement, social distancing, traffic flow regulation, daily wellness checks and sanitizing protocols. Community members continue to be able to access rapid antigen tests at the site.
Although families no longer need to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine status to stay at the facility, staff, volunteers and visitors do.
“As we continue to navigate the changing and evolving global pandemic, RMHC Manitoba remains committed to the health and safety of all involved. We continue to follow stringent health and safety guidelines, and elevated cleaning and sanitizing protocols,” Galagan wrote in her letter on Friday.
In an email Sunday, the Manitoba CEO said Ronald McDonald Houses across the country have adhered to “the highest health and safety standards… as defined by their local hospital partner, and local health authorities” since March 2020.
“Given the vulnerable populations we serve, it is imperative that Ronald McDonald Houses take every precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19 within our facilities.”–Wendy Galagan
“Given the vulnerable populations we serve, it is imperative that Ronald McDonald Houses take every precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19 within our facilities,” she said, noting a single positive case was identified at the local residence on Friday and immediate action was taken.
Galagan said no close contacts are anticipated because of stringent safety protocols in place.
Manitoba’s latest COVID-19 surveillance report indicates three people died of the virus between Sept. 25 and Oct. 1.
The report, published every Wednesday, shows 77 people are in the hospital, with 13 in intensive care — a slight increase from 73 total admissions, 11 of which were in the ICU, one week prior.
There is a single outbreak in a Manitoba long-term care facility at present.
Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
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