Wilkie care home marks end of outbreak, mourns those lost

On February 1, residents and staff of the Wilkie Health Centre celebrated the end of the COVID-19 outbreak that had consumed them for 53 days. The facility is home to 27 residents from Wilkie and many nearby communities and has 52 staff members.

At the height of the outbreak numerous  staff were on isolation after testing positive or being identified as close contacts and the facility with  our Human Resources team and brought in supports from Unity, Lloydminster, North Battleford, Kerrobert, Kindersley and other area homecare and acute programs to assist us with staffing.”  

“The isolation, separation and fear was overwhelming at times,” reported Deb Kurulak-Milne, manager of the long-term care facility in Wilkie.

Six residents passed away during the outbreak, and many more were very sick and struggled to get well.

“Losing that many residents due to one virus is a price no one should have to pay. But the memory of those lost will stay with us all as we carry on,” Kurulak-Milne noted.

A ceremony was held and balloons were released in memory of those lost after the outbreak was declared over on February 1.