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FEAR OF THE CONSEQUENCES: Carl Magnus Jensen, medical director at Eidsvoll, is concerned about how the situation unfolds after four elderly residents with developmental disabilities in the risk group are now infected. Photo: Terje Bringedal
The outbreak of infection in two nursing homes and one nursing home in Eidsvoll is linked to employee turnover between workplaces: – Not desirable, but also not prohibited, says the municipal chief.
After two nursing homes in the township were hit by a major outbreak this month, the Eidsvoll township is now experiencing what all townships fear most.
In the Villa Skaar Valstad nursing home, 22 of the 23 residents became infected in a short time, and in just one week, six of them died. 20 employees were also infected.
Infections were later discovered in three patients and an employee of the Vilberg Helsetun municipal nursing home. The infection was discovered after detection of the infection showed that an employee worked in both nursing homes.
On Wednesday, one of the residents of the Vilberg health park died.
At the same time, it is also known that another municipal institution in the municipality has been diagnosed with contagion. Those infected are older people with developmental disabilities in the risk group.
Again, the infection may be related to an employee who has worked at various locations, including the infected Villa Skaar.
– It is absolutely not desirable that employees who work in an infected department also work in an uninfected department of the municipality, says Mayor John-Erik Vika (Sp) to VG on Wednesday.
– Not wanted
Municipal Chief Physician Carl Magnus Jensen confirms to VG that it is a general challenge for employees to have multiple small positions with different employers and across municipal boundaries.
It says that employees have a duty to inform their employer about other working conditions, so that this cannot be repeated.
– In a meeting with the municipal health services, employers were encouraged to map their employees and whether employees work in various places. As much as possible and justifiably, we want employees to engage with a department, Jensen tells VG by phone.
The municipal chief doctor says that an employee of the residence for the mentally disabled also worked at Villa Skaar Valstad.
The nursing home employee must have worked at the nursing home on November 4. It is the same day the outbreak was discovered in the nursing home.
The person in question must not have worked there after the outbreak was known.
– This is not desirable, but it is not forbidden to have more employers. It’s clear that it’s not fortunate that employees have more workplaces, but in some cases it’s necessary due to skill needs, Jensen explains.
THE CENTER OF INFECTION: Villa Skaar Valstad has been badly affected by a major outbreak in which 20 of 23 residents and 14 employees are infected. In just one week, six of the sick residents died. Both the infection in the Vilberg health park and the nursing home can be related to the nursing home. Photo: Terje Bringedal
Fear of employees to test themselves
Eidsvoll Township Mayor John-Erik Vika is concerned about the development he sees in the Township.
– It is very sad. It is the worst possible situation we can get into, where it is the most vulnerable person we have who is affected, Vika tells VG.
Even the municipal superintendent thinks it was disappointing to discover an outbreak once again.
– Again, I’m worried about the consequences. So far, we have taken important steps to transfer residents to the infection station at the Vilberg health park, he says, says Jensen.
Jensen fears that the blame for outbreaks only falls on people and believes that it is difficult to deal with a virus that does not always cause symptoms. Ultimately, he fears this will lead to health professionals refusing to get tested.
– I’m worried about this. I get a lot of advice on things and I know there are various rumors about the infection route to the nursing home, and I am very much against a big void here, he explains.
At the same time, he is aware that he takes infractions seriously.
– Of course, I will report if I receive information about crimes. But above all, it is clear and good communication that we need, and at the same time an openness that makes people dare to take the necessary tests, he says.
The nightmare became a reality for the nursing home: – A horrible reminder of how bad it can go.
