COVID Outbreak Declared Over at Dufferin Oaks & Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Letter to Long Term Care Homes

The most recent COVID-19 outbreak has been declared over by the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Heath Unit.

The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Heath Unit has sent out a letter to all long term care homes in the region. The Public Heath Unit has recommended that all Long-Term Care Homes follow Directive #3, as issued on October 14, 2020.   

Further to the above, I am also requesting that all Long-Term Care Homes: 

•    Restrict essential care givers and general visitors to a maximum of one (1) person per resident, at a time;
•    Discontinue short-term and temporary absences.  I am requesting that residents leave the Home only for essential purposes (i.e. medical appointments) and discontinue all other absences, except for medical or compassionate reasons;
•    Discontinue in-person tours and replace with virtual tours; and
•    Social activities should not be permitted unless the facility can always maintain resident safety through: (i) physical distancing, of at least two (2) metres, at all times;
       (ii)    adhering to IPAC measures; (iii) ensuring enhanced environmental cleaning; and
       (iv) the use/wearing of face coverings/masks (if tolerated).

Active screening of all staff and visitors must continue for anyone entering the Home, except for first responders, in emergency situations, who should be permitted entry without screening.  Active screening and assessment of all residents must continue, including temperature checks, at least twice daily (at the beginning and end of the day), to identify if any resident has fever, cough or other symptoms of COVID-19.

To view the letter from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit letter to long term care homes, click here.