The Ministry of Long-Term Care has appointed Southlake Regional Health Centre to temporarily manage one of the most virulent COVID-19 outbreaks in York Region at a Georgina long-term care home.
The ministry announced today it has issued a mandatory management order for Southlake to step in for 90 days to stem the spread of COVID-19 at the River Glen Haven Nursing Home where more than 19 residents have died since the outbreak was declared April 27. A total of 74 residents — 64 per cent — have tested positive in the 115-bed home on High Street in Sutton, as well as 30 health-care workers.
"Despite receiving hospital support for weeks, these homes have been unable to contain the spread of COVID-19. By taking these steps the government is enabling a rigorous management structure to help contain the spread of the disease and assist in returning these homes to normal operations," the province stated in a news release.
Southlake management staff have offered guidance and recommendations to help the facility respond to the outbreak for the last two weeks, according to a statement issued by the Newmarket hospital today.
"Our top priorities are to effectively manage the outbreak and to ensure that residents receive high-quality care. Our other objectives include open and frequent communication with the family members of residents, achieving appropriate staffing levels, and supporting River Glen Haven staff during this difficult time," the hospital stated.
Over the past six weeks, Southlake has been supporting a number of long-term care facilities, partnering with the Central Region, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, York Region Public Health and Paramedic Services, and the staff and management of the facilities, assisting with testing, infection prevention education and PPE training.
Teams of physicians and nurses have been assisting long-term care, retirement and group homes with testing of all residents and staff, including Eagle Terrace, Bradford Valley, Mackenzie Place, Amica, and Sunrise, Dr. Gaurav Puri, Southlake’s chief of emergency medicine told NewmarketToday in an earlier interview.
Mackenzie Place Long-term Care Centre in Newmarket continues to have the highest number of COVID-19 cases among the region's outbreaks, where 15 residents have died, and 80 of 90 residents — 89 per cent — and 24 health-care workers have tested positive since the outbreak was declared April 8. However, no additional cases have been reported in recent weeks.
Southlake said it will provide daily updates to the families of residents at River Glen Haven, as well as regular updates for the public on its website.
The ministry, which issued a similar order today for Humber River Hospital to manage Downsview Long Term Care in North York, said the orders may be extended beyond 90 days if necessary.
"Our government is using every tool available to keep Ontarians safe, especially our most vulnerable people during this unprecedented time," said Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton. "I am confident that the talented staff at these hospitals and long-term care homes will work together to contain COVID-19 and move beyond the crisis."
The Ministry of Long-Term Care will continue to make decisions on which long-term care homes may require additional management support on a case-by-case basis.
The province's May 12 emergency order allows the Ministry of Long-Term Care to order alternative management to temporarily manage a long-term care home where at least one resident or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
Testing of long-term care residents and staff for COVID-19 has been completed with additional rounds of testing to begin in the coming days and weeks, the province said.
In recent days, York Region public health reported significant increases in its daily new cases as a result of mass swabbings at long-term care homes.
On May 22, of 49 new cases reported, 33 were at Woodbridge Vista Care Community home in Vaughan, where 26 additional residents and seven health-care workers tested positive, according to York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey. A total of 75 residents and 22 staff have been exposed to the virus as a result of the outbreak declared May 7.
On May 23, York Region public health reported 39 new cases, with 11 cases (nine more residents and two staff) at Woodbridge Vista Care Community, and 12 (11 more residents and one staff) at River Glen Haven Nursing Home, which is operated by ATK Care Group Limited.
