Ontario to pause general visitations to long-term care homes
Posted December 28, 2021 12:25 pm.
Last Updated December 28, 2021 11:21 pm.
The Ontario government has introduced new temporary restrictions regarding long-term care homes. As of December 30 at 12:01 a.m, general visits will not be permitted however caregivers will still be allowed to enter homes.
Residents will also not be permitted to take day absences for social purposes.
This comes as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 sweeps through southern Ontario, with over 8,000 new infections reported Tuesday.
Ontario’s Long-Term Care Minister Rod Phillips says community spread is the biggest single factor affecting outbreaks in care homes.
“Today, there are 41 long-term care homes in an outbreak, up from 37 yesterday. 93 residents and 161 staff have tested positive for COVID-19. As of today, there are no long-term care residents in hospital as a result of COVID-19.” Phillips remarked in a virtual news conference.
“We’re implementing new measures to protect our most vulnerable. All general visits to long-term care homes will be paused unless you are visiting a relative in a palliative situation.” he said.
As of December 22, over 84 percent of long-term care residents and 43 percent of staff have received their booster.
