Dear Residents, Family Members and Staff:

 
As you are aware, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (along with the entire Province of Ontario) is currently under a provincewide shutdown, with community spread and variants of concern being present. General visitors continue to be restricted.

Essential Caregivers will be allowed access to the Home, based upon the March 15^th 2021 Ministry Directives, issued relative to the utilization of the Rapid Antigen Testing, as the means for Home Surveillance Testing and Access to the Home. The vast majority of staff are now being tested 3 times per week. Rapid Antigen Tests are available on site and will be required the day of, or if visiting more frequently, up to 3 times per week. Antigen Tests 3 times per week preferably on non-consecutive days. If you are visiting 2 or less days per week, a Rapid Antigen test is only required on the first day as the results are valid for 2 consecutive days. You must wait 15-20 minutes for your test results before entry to Resident areas. We are no longer accepting PCR tests, as the full implementation of Rapid Antigen Testing is now in effect. 

Dr. Charles Gardner, Chief Medical Officer of Health, expanded the order to include enhanced screening questions for household members of staff and essential visitors. Should any household member show signs of Covid-19 they must be tested at an assessment center and the staff member or essential visitor will be restricted from entry until they provide proof of a Covid-19 negative test for that household member. 

Virtual Visits remain the safest option and can be booked by appointment at recreation@ioof.com.

Essential Visitors / Caregivers are designated and approved by contacting nursingmanagement@ioof.com.

Essential Caregivers we remind you of the requirement to abide by all Public Health requirements, and review PPE and IPAC measures along with the essential visitor & caregiver guidelines listed below.

ALL GENERAL VISITS, both indoor and outdoor, are suspended under the GREY (Lockdown) Zone. Additionally, all short stay and temporary absences have been suspended. The only absence permitted is for medical reasons.

Quick Reminders:

We are emphasizing with all staff and essential visitors the continued importance of wearing your PPE, physical distancing and routine testing while limiting your activities to only those that are considered essential.
 
The health and safety of our Residents, and the team members who serve them, is our highest priority.

Sincerely,
Garry C. Hopkins, CEO

Important Links: 

Government of Ontario Website

Please review the following before your next visit:

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/ipac/ppe-recommended-steps
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-fullppe-on
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-fullppe-off
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/videos/ipac-handwash

Vaccines for Designated Caregivers: 

COVID-19 Update to Caregivers
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet
Getting Ready for your COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form 

VISITORS AT THE HOME:

Please contact recreation@ioof.com to arrange your visit.  

Your 3 Options for Visiting at the HOME are as follows:
Option 1 – Safe Virtual Visits – No Risk
SUSPENDED - Option 2 – Safe Partitioned Patio Visits – Low Risk to Resident – Please read our guidelines. - No COVID test required.
SUSPENDED - Option 3 – Outdoor Visiting - Heightened Risk (Maximum 2 visitors at one time - No COVID test required) 

SUSPENDED - Option 4 - Indoor Visit - High Risk (Must have a current negative COVID-19 Test)

PLEASE READ:

Update to Families and Staff - February 22nd 2021