The province of Nova Scotia announced Thursday that six regional care units will be established across the province to reduce and manage the spread of COVID-19.
The government said it has budgeted up to $6.2 million for this initiative, which will see the units set up within a hospital or nursing home.
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Providers who operate large or multiple facilities may also choose to establish the regional care unit model in one of their facilities for their residents.
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“Residents in our continuing care system are some of the most vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19,” said Leo Glavine, Minister of Health and Wellness in a press release. “We have made changes to strengthen how the sector responds to a second wave of the virus and Regional Care Units for nursing home residents who test positive for COVID-19 is one of these measures.”
According to the province, the units will be in the following facilities:
- Ocean View Continuing Care Centre, Dartmouth
- Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro
- Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney
- St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish
- Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville
- Yarmouth Regional Hospital, Yarmouth
“These units will offer long-term care and have dedicated staff. They will have access to specialized resources like occupational health, and infection prevention and control experts,” the province said in a statement.
In the meantime, work is underway to finalize guidelines on when a resident is transferred to a regional care unit versus being cared for in place.
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