Rising COVID-19 cases in Ontario's long-term care homes cause changes in visitor policies

#Ontario, #LongTermCareHomes; #ChangeOfVisitingPolicies

Ottawa, Sep 29 (Canadian-Media): Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Oct 29 at his daily news conference that long-term care visiting rules in areas with high community spread of COVID-19 are being changed with Ontario reporting 554 new cases of COVID-19.

Long-Term Care Homes. Image credit: Wikimedia commons

78 confirmed active cases in residents on Sep 29  had caused an increase of 14.71 percent in the confirmed active cases in Ontario, which reported outbreaks in 46 long-term care homes. 

"We can't let COVID-19 get into these homes." Ford said.

Although indicated by provincial officials that Ottawa, Peel and Toronto would fall under that umbrella, but did not clearly state any other regions.

Ford said effective Oct 5 visitors to long-term care homes in high risk areas would be restricted to staff, essential visitors and essential caregivers only and added that up to two individuals can be essential caregivers, the province says.

Ford also said the province is investing $540 million into the long-term care sector, which will go toward helping facilities with containment measures, staffing supports, renovations for infection control, and getting personal protective equipment (PPE).

The province is ensuring that every long-term care home in the province has a two-month supply of PPE, Ford said.