A seniors advocate fears New Brunswick is heading down the same path as other provinces which have failed the elderly during the COVID-19 crisis.
Coalition for Seniors executive director Cecile Cassista says she was shocked to recently learn that long term care employees are allowed to work in more than one facility.
While public health is suggesting the practice be banned, Cassista believes the province should make a ban mandatory and workers should be paid proper wages instead.
“The government has led us to believe they have protocols out there and are they making sure they are being followed? When I check other homes, nine up in the Campbellton area, they have inspection reports – from 2018 – and many of them have infractions,” she notes.
Cassista says she’s concerned we now have COVID-19 cases in a long-term care home and knows the virus will spread.
She adds people from the Campbellton region have undoubtedly visited other parts of the province.
Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville has eight cases including some staff members.
Cassista believes seniors in all nursing homes in the province should be tested for the virus.
