Amid a rise of outbreaks in congregate settings, long-term care homes in North Bay and across the province have implemented enhanced masking measures under instructions from the Ontario government.
As of Nov. 7, the Ministry of Long-Term Care ordered long-term care facilities to introduce the measures. All staff, students, support workers and volunteers are mandated to wear a mask when in resident areas indoors. Previously, masks were only required when direct care was being provided to residents.
An internal memo circulated at North Bay's Waters Edge Care Community states the enhanced measures "optimize the health and safety of residents and team members. In addition to enhanced masking, remember your four moments of hand hygiene, ensure you follow the proper sequence of PPE donning and doffing, continue to self-monitor for symptoms," and, with emphasis, "Stay home when you are sick."
These enhanced masking measures are already in place — even in non-outbreak situations — in long-term care settings, and will remain so until further notice.
According to the MLTC, "Recent trends have shown high levels of community transmission of COVID-19, an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes, and increased risk of COVID-19 related hospitalizations."
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit reported five active COVID-19 outbreaks in the district, as of the week of Oct. 25 but in subsequent weeks that number has dropped to three, and then two for the week of Nov. 5.
Health officials predict COVID activity could peak in the next few weeks, which is around the same time that influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are projected to rise.
The ministry is also "strongly recommending" visitors and caregivers wear masks in resident areas indoors, except when in the resident's room or when eating or drinking with a resident in communal spaces.
If a resident in a shared room is uncomfortable with others removing their masks, homes are encouraged to designate a space to enable the roommate to have visitors without masking.
See: Smile! Long-term care staff, visitors can now go without masks
In June, after three years had passed since every person who sought entry to a long-term care home in Ontario was forced to don a mask in a bid to keep the COVID-19 virus at bay, local long-term care facilities — and those across the province — shifted their protocols in a de-escalation of COVID-19 measures and making masking optional for staff and visitors.
The recent shift aligns with masking policies put in place for the respiratory illness season in Ontario hospitals and other health-care settings.
— With files from Gary Rinne
