New COVID-19 outbreaks more than doubled in Ontario long-term care homes in the first week of July, Public Health Ontario says, as the sector sees the impact of a seventh virus wave.
The latest weekly report on the virus in Ontario said there were 42 new outbreaks recorded in the sector during the week of July 3 to July 9. That's an increase of 110 per cent from the previous week's 20 new reported outbreaks.
Infection prevention and control audits are completed every week when homes are in outbreak, the statement said, and every other week if homes aren't in outbreak. Other temporary measures like visitor limits may be brought in during outbreaks. Ontario widened access to fourth doses to all adults this week, and Nesbitt said homes are encouraged to "share information" about the expansion with staff caregivers and family members.
This week's public health COVID-19 update said outbreaks in high-risk settings rose 87 per cent overall since the last report. Increases were reported in all congregate living settings except correctional facilities. In a two-week period ending July 9, 44 people aged 80 and older died from COVID-19, Public Health Ontario said. The province has reported 65 deaths from COVID-19 in total over that period.
While there was a big push to get long-term care residents vaccinated with initial shots, Sinha said some are now falling behind on vaccinations, or may have waning immunity against the virus after receiving fourth shots late last year or early this year. The province has also ended rules that required visitors to the homes be vaccinated.
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