Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes

Public Health staff will help in the management and prevention of outbreaks of illness at long-term care and retirement homes. APH provides the following information, forms and posters that can assist with identifying and/or managing an outbreak.

 

Active and resolved outbreaks can be found on our Outbreak Activity page. 

 

What is an Outbreak?

An outbreak is a sudden rise in the number of cases of a disease, above the number normally expected for the setting over a defined period of time.

Some outbreaks are expected each year, such as influenza.  Sometimes a single case of an infectious disease may be considered an outbreak.

 

How to Report an Outbreak 

If you suspect an outbreak at your facility, contact APH as soon as possible to discuss outbreak management and control with a Public Health Inspector. During evenings, weekends and holidays, contact 705-254-6611.

 

If you think that you may have an outbreak in your facility, please use the following definitions to determine if your facility is in a suspect or confirmed outbreak:

 

 

 

Information for Visitors

Outbreaks in long-term care and retirement homes can be very stressful for residents, staff, visitors and family members; for some they can be life threatening. For the health and well being of the residents, patients, staff and visitors, it is important to follow the required instructions when faced with a possible outbreak.

 

APH has the following recommendations:

 

• If you are ill, do not visit!
• Check in at the nursing station upon your arrival
• Follow the required outbreak measures (e.g if the resident you are visiting is ill, wear the required personal protective equipment and practice good hand hygiene)
• Limit your visit to one resident in a day
• Clean your hands often using soap and water or hand-sanitizer
• Get a flu shot every year
• Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination

 

Date modified: March, 2023