Like many establishments, the Jeanne-Penent de Cazères nursing home was confronted with an epidemic of Covid-19 among its residents and staff. After a peak in contamination from mid-November to mid-December, the situation is improving.
“Everyone, residents and staff, are tested weekly. There have been no new cases in the past two weeks, the episode is under control.” Florence Pizzato, director of the Cazères retirement home, her team, residents and their families have lived through difficult weeks.
“The virus entered the establishment with a resident returning from hospital, tested negative when he left the hospital but carrying the virus. He showed signs a few days after his return home, we did so test and everything happened. As per the protocol, we confined the residents to their rooms. Those of the positive residents were identified and the staff had to equip themselves to enter. The Covid is difficult to contain once She entered.” The nursing home had so far been spared by the pandemic. Between November 10 and December 20, up to half of the residents tested positive; some fell ill: fever, fatigue, cough until hospitalization for some. Florence Pizzato remains discreet about the number of deaths. The period was difficult for the residents, already to be again confined to their rooms after they had been several months this year, plus the fear of the virus, the isolation of their families all the more burdensome by this holiday season. It is also a big overload of work for the staff, the kitchen which has to prepare a hundred meal trays for lunch and dinner, and their distribution. Not to mention the absence of those who tested positive who were isolated at home for seven days, and the patients on sick leave.
“The residents are still confined. We were waiting to have two sets of negative tests to consider gradually resuming a normal life in the retirement home, which we will start this week. We prefer to see the residents moving around the house, going into dining room, participate in activities … “
For Christmas and for the New Year, the residents had the pleasant surprise of the visit of a singer, Frédo, accompanied by a guitarist, Lilian Jammes, who came to put some music and good humor on the floors. They also received visits from relatives for the holidays, but they were not allowed to go out.
“We are preparing for the vaccination campaign which will take place after January 18th. We are in the process of consulting residents, families and staff for consents, in conjunction with treating physicians.”
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