Fairfield Park Nursing Home in Wallaceburg has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a recent dispute over the effectiveness of some COVID-19 masks that were used there.
Tests results from an independent laboratory have come back to confirm the masks in question are safe for use in long-term care facilities after the union representing the home's workers raised concerns over whether they were medical grade. Unifor Local 2458 said the masks were mislabeled and were unsafe for use. However, the lab tests confirm the COVID-19 masks in use are safe and meet all of the necessary requirements.
"We are pleased to share that after extensive laboratory testing, the masks have been confirmed to be safe for use in long-term care homes and have met all requirements for Level 1 Medical Face Masks as set out by Health Canada and the Province of Ontario," said Fairfield Park Administrator Tracey Maxim in a statement on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Labour conducted an inspection at the home on February 8, 2021 following anonymous complaints about mislabeled COVID-19 masks being used by employees. Fairfield Park admitted a longstanding supplier delivered masks that were mislabeled and the Ministry of Labour directed the home to send the masks for testing to be extra cautious. The ministry also found the home to be in good standing on all infection prevention and control measures, including its screening practices, hand hygiene, surveillance testing, environmental cleaning, cohorting efforts, use of personal protective equipment, access to N95 masks and physical distancing measures.
Maxim said the test results have been shared with all of the home's partners, including the Ministries of Labour and Long-term Care, Chatham-Kent Public Health, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Fairfield's internal Health and Safety Committee, as well as its staff and union partners.
"We are pleased to put this unfortunate incident behind us, and we remain committed to providing a safe and rewarding workplace for our staff and a safe and comforting home for our residents," Maxim said.
Fairfield Park continues to have only one active case of COVID-19 among a resident and one active case among a staff member. Maxim said all of the other cases at the home have been resolved.
The home has been dealing with a large COVID-19 outbreak since January 10, 2021. Since then, total active cases have reached 100, two female residents in their 90s have died of COVID-19, and three more residents who tested positive for the virus have passed away but CK Public Health has not listed their cause of death as COVID-19.
