Retirement Home Summary Document (Mar 2)

COVID-19 Support for Retirement Homes
Discussion Forum – March 2, 2021

In an effort to support retirement homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Toronto Family Practice Network (EasT-FPN), in collaboration with the Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), hosts a bi-weekly virtual retirement home discussion forum. The forum is intended to connect care leaders with Dr. Ruth Hussman to provide clinical & practice recommendations, information and resources. Join us bi-weekly to continue the discussion. Get additional clinical and practice support and help strengthen East Toronto, by becoming a member of the EasT-FPN.

 Key Updates & Summary of Mar 2/2021 Discussion 

  • There have been no east end retirement homes on the list of COVID-19 outbreaks. Although there are isolating variants of the UK strain in staff across the city, there are none in residents which shows the vaccine immunity.

  • Once there are a group of ten residents who are available to receive their missed dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, then vaccinations will be done. These residents do not need to be in the same retirement home. There is still a plan being created to account for the newly admitted residents and staff.

  • Rapid antigen testing is still being recommended for staff independent of their vaccination status. However, we are waiting for the Ministry to possibly amend rapid antigen testing for vaccinated staff in the near future.

  • For agency staff assigned to a home such as Personal Support Workers, homes are encouraged to include them as part of their staff and submit to MGH to get them vaccinated with the retirement home staff. Agency staff who may work in other settings will be considered health care workers. Health care workers in high-risk retirement homes are eligible to receive the vaccine in phase 1. There is an infographic to show the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.

East Toronto Family Practice Network