McCormick Care Group Update

Friday, March 31, 2023

This is a McCormick Care Group update for Friday, March 31, 2023.

Dear Residents and Families of McCormick Home,

On March 22, 2023, the Ministry of Long-Term Care released new guidance on how long-term care homes are to manage COVID-19 going forward.  While the sector anticipated the relaxation of restrictions by the end of June 2023, the ministry has accelerated the timing of these changes.

We have been consulting with our team and sector partners to determine how to best transition our home safely to these new relaxed requirements. Given the numerous infection outbreaks we have experienced recently, rather than implement an immediate change to all our practices, we are implementing a transitional approach that should serve us well through the end of this outbreak season. We are finalizing our planning in some areas, but I wanted to share our decided approach, which seeks to balance ministry requirements with our desire to keep everyone as safe as possible.

The first phase of our transition plan includes the following:

1. Active screening of all staff, visitors and care partners will continue until May 31, 2023. We have found active screening to be our best line of defense. We will transition to passive screening on June 1, 2023.
2. Daily rapid antigen testing of visitors and care partners will end on Monday, April 3, 2023. Daily rapid antigen testing of staff will end on Monday, April 17, 2023.
3. Proof of vaccinations for visitors and care partners is no longer required. We continue to encourage everyone to maintain their vaccinations as recommended by Public Health Ontario.
4. Indoor masking requirements for all visitors, care partners and staff remain in place.
5. Outdoor masking requirements for visitors and care partners have been discontinued. Staff who may come in close proximity to residents outdoors will still be required to wear a mask.
6. The limit of one care partners at a time during a COVID-19 outbreak, or when a resident is symptomatic or isolated, is no longer in place.

I recognize that these changes represent a significant change in our approach to managing the pandemic. We are hopeful that this transitioned approach strikes the right balance.

Our priority remains the health and safety of our residents, families, visitors, volunteers and staff. I am proud of the way all the members of our community have come together over the past three years to meet the challenges we have faced. We request your continued support and patience as we work through this next phase.

Thank you for your continued understanding. We will keep you advised of any changes as they evolve.

Steve Crawford, CEO
McCormick Care Group