The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba’s (AFM) River Point Centre on Magnus Avenue is the site of an outbreak of COVID-19 that has not been reported to the public say several staff members at the facility. News 4 has agreed not to identify the individual staff members as they fear repercussions.
AFM is a province of Manitoba crown agency.
An email sent to staff on Monday, November 9, 2020, by interim COO Greg Reid stated that two residents who are part of in-house programs had tested positive for the virus.
At least two staff members have been tested and several others are self-isolating due to close contacts with the residents.
” A bunch of people are off waiting for test results,” said one staff member.
The pair who tested positive were not permitted to self-isolate at the facility and were forced to either move home or to shelter isolation suites. This is part of the facility’s pandemic planning and response staff said
One resident, who did not want to be identified, told News 4 that the management at River Point has not provided residents with any information about the outbreak although he was aware that two residents left the facility to isolate. He said that although there is physical distancing within the facility, for the most part, he is concerned about having to share a room with another resident.
“I don’t want to get COVID and to be honest, I am a little scared when you hear it is so close,” the resident said.
Staff also brought up a serious concern surrounding Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) at the facility. They say that recently the masks they are using have been recalled by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority due to missing ear loops and past expiration dates. They have been told to keep using them until they can be replaced.
There were also concerns about the lack of enhanced PPE in the facility like medical procedure masks that have not expired, gowns and face shields.
Some staff indicated that they are feeling unsafe at work and very stressed.
The Manitoba Pandemic Response System does not list River Point Centre as having an outbreak or a point of possible exposure as of November 11.
© News4.ca 2020
