This week starts with good news. The CIUSSS has indeed advanced, for logistical reasons, the vaccination of our residents.

Today, 85 residents received the vaccine. More than 93% of all the residents presently residing at Château Westmount received their first dose of Moderna’s vaccine. Everything went well and was quickly over by the end of the morning.

None of our residents had any complications. Some mild side effects specific to all vaccines, pain at the injection site, mild fever, and fatigue, may appear within the next 48 hours. Our nursing teams are on the lookout.

We are now waiting for the news about the booster dose.

We would like to remind you that vaccination against Covid-19 is the responsibility of CIUSSS. Although we are made aware of the latest decisions, we are not involved in campaign planning. As soon as we receive new information, we will pass them on to you.

Let us keep hope, we are on the right track.

Thank you for your collaboration and see you soon.

We are pleased to announce that the outbreak has been contained. The latest screening of unaffected residents revealed no new cases. Preventive isolation measures have ended as of this evening.

Once again, we express heartfelt thanks to our nursing staff, our housekeepers, our professional staff, and our kitchen workers. All have made immeasurable efforts to help us overcome the spread of the virus within our walls.

Although most of our residents have been untouched by the virus, the loss of fifteen of our community members leaves a painful void. A memorial ceremony for our friends will be held in the new year.

Some semblances of normality will return within our walls in the coming days, but the pandemic is ongoing, and our residents remain at risk. Vigilance is the order of the day. All protective and preventive measures remain in force and they will be adjusted swiftly if need be.

The lobby is being disinfected. In early January, the Oasis will be rearranged to accommodate visitors and videoconferencing operations will resume.

As always, we thank you for your understanding.

Please accept our best wishes for the New Year.

We are pleased to report that the situation remains stable. On Tuesday the 15^th, we recorded but 3 cases during prevalence testing (testing of unaffected residents).

The official count of recoveries has been reduced by 2 following the hospitalization of a resident for problems that appear to be unrelated to COVID. The active case count has been adjusted accordingly. Another recovered resident succumbed to unrelated health problems. Since this person had just emerged from isolation, the number of deceased has been adjusted as well. Condolences on behalf of the Château Westmount community have been expressed to the family.

The number of deaths related to COVID now stands at 11. Our friends will be greatly missed, and we will keep in our hearts the memories of the good times we shared with them.

We are pleased to report as well that there are fewer employees on leave and that services have not been significantly affected by the absences. Care is being provided as usual, even if it takes a little longer because employees must don fresh protective gear before entering each room.

The 3^rd floor has been reopened and residents can move about the common areas. Access to the common areas of the ground floor will be restored once all residents have recovered.

Residents in isolation on the 2^nd floor will conclude their quarantine this Friday. Our teams have already begun disinfecting operations. Common areas on the floor will be accessible once the cleaning operation is done.

Finally, our heartfelt thanks go out to our indefatigable activity leaders, Amanda and Kim, as well as to all who visited residents to keep bodies and spirits invigorated.

While we have some very good news to announce, I, unfortunately, must start with the announcement of the deaths of two other residents. Although one of them was positive for COVID, his death is related to other medical problems.

The departure of one of our residents for any reason is always a sorrowful event for all of our staff. We would like to take the time to offer our condolences to the bereaved families.

We will wait for the end of this pandemic and then we will plan a commemoration for these extraordinary people who have left us.

In a more cheerful tone, we can announce that the 3^rd floor is finally deconfined. Residents can move freely on the floor from today. Only the 2 residents who have not completed their isolation period and two others who have never had COVID must remain in their rooms. The latest will have to stay in preventive isolation for 14 days.

We detected only 5 new cases during the last prevalence (systematic screening of unaffected residents). Which indicates that we are on the right track.

The “great clean-up” of the second floor will begin next Monday.

Once again, thank you to all the families for your support and understanding.

The cleaning and disinfecting of the 3^rd floor have begun. We are in the process of creating a “cold zone”. Please be advised that residents on the 3^rd floor who have not been infected will have to wait a few more days in preventive isolation before they can move about.

The situation remains stable for the time being on the other floors. The next screening tests are scheduled for next Monday.

We continue to communicate daily with the families of affected residents. If you have any questions, please contact us via email. You will understand that we are unable to respond with the same diligence that you are accustomed to under normal circumstances.

Thank you for your support.