Second Saskatoon group home for those with intellectual disabilities hit with outbreak

Saskatchewan Alternative Initiatives is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak, the second group home for those with intellectual disabilities to have an outbreak declared in the past 10 days.

According to executive director Tim Jones, he is aware of three cases within the organization.

“We’ve been very fortunate up until now,” he said. “Last week, we had one of our homes declared an outbreak as we had two employees at the same home test positive for COVID. Since then on Saturday, public health came and did mass testing for all the employees and the individuals from that home.”

Of the mass testing, one resident’s results came back positive. The first two employees have recovered, Jones added.

He said he is unaware of any overlap with another Saskatoon group home for those with intellectual disabilities dealing with a COVID outbreak, Elmwood Residences’ Kinsmen Manor.

Elmwood currently has at least 38 positive cases within the manor facility, with additional testing to be done on Wednesday. In its Monday update, Elmwood said one resident was transported to hospital Sunday afternoon, with 11 additional residents experiencing mild symptoms.

Unlike Kinsmen Manor, Saskatchewan Alternative Initiatives has 14 separate homes. Each home has between one and three clients, with staff providing 24-hour care.

In addition to the homes, the organization also has supported independent living and a day program. Jones said altogether, it provides support for 69 individuals.

He explained how he believes the organization was able to stay COVID-free for the majority of the pandemic.

“Early on in the pandemic we moved to really careful cohorting, so that no employee could go from one home to the other. They’re all specifically assigned to one house so that in an event of an outbreak at one home, it would be evenly contained,” Jones said, adding officials phased in personal protective equipment early.

“I’m just grateful for my team. They’ve been diligent this whole year, taking everything seriously in terms of their own health and health to the people we support.”

Just like Elmwood’s executive, Jones said he would have liked to see those with disabilities higher on the vaccine priority list in Saskatchewan.

“I think that group homes for people with disabilities should be at the same timing as long-term care homes. I think that their vulnerability is just as high, in some cases even higher — whether it be related to pre-existing conditions or age even,” he explained.

Four employees were in self-isolation due to the original positive tests, Jones said. He added a member of the management team stepped in to provide some of the direct care at the affected home.