We have received correspondence from the Ministry of Children and Community Social Services that Durham Region has exhibited a change in the level of community risk related to COVID-19.
As you are aware The Participation House Durham Region has remained diligent and highly committed to ensuring our health & safety practices and protocols are in alignment with the direction and advisement of our ministry and Public Heath. Together we continue to collaborate to ensure that everyone’s wellbeing is kept as the highest priority
Below are excerpts from the information we received but please also be sure to review the Attached and note that based on Wave 2 Community Risk Continuum we are in the peach colored column “Enhanced Precautions”.
What this means for our organization: All MCCSS-funded congregate living settings operated by The Participation House Project in Durham Region must implement the following enhanced precautions:
Infection Prevention Activities
• Ensure training has been completed on enhanced PPE protocols during outbreaks.
• Resident attendance of indoor community services and supports/day programming only where limited to maximum group size of 5 people this includes staff (Virtual delivery is STRONGLY encouraged as an alternative)
Visitors and Visiting:
Short-stay absences must be limited to activities that enable health and important life activities (e.g., school, work, doctors’ appointments etc.), As a general rule, a resident is expected to practice physical distancing, hand hygiene and to wear a face covering (with support where necessary) when on a short stay absence.
Note: specific settings (e.g. schools and offices of regulated medical professionals) may have specific requirements and protocols regarding a short stay absence in those settings; Please ensure you familiarize yourself with these guidelines prior to accessing a specific setting.
- Essential visits and essential overnight absences are permitted. “Essential visitors” are distinct from other visitor types in The Visitor’s Guidelines 2.0: ReOpening of Congregate Living Settings so agencies can facilitate, on an individual resident basis, relationships that are necessary to maintain their health, wellness and safety in the context of overarching visitor restrictions. Agencies are strongly encouraged to consider the importance of the principles of emotional well-being and flexibility for their residents in addition to infection risks.
- Non-essential and designated indoor visits are prohibited -this means that indoor visits amongst units at a location are currently being suspended
- Limited, supervised, non-essential outdoor visits with physical distancing are permitted. Visits must be scheduled in advance
Recreational Activities:
- Recreational activities outside of the residence are currently suspended
Day Supports and Services:
- Currently, maximum group size is 5 people including staff. We are presently working on communication with families to address this and develop a contingency plan. The ministry is strongly recommending reverting back to virtual services only.
Through our ongoing navigation of this pandemic we continue to follow our three-pronged approach which ensures that we are; proactive, responsible, and responsive while being keenly aware of the need to step back into enhanced precautions, while remaining diligent in our commitment to handle and mitigate the risks.
As an organization, we continue to pride ourselves on the fact that we have been able to keep the virus at bay and both your loved ones and our staff safe. We understand the frustration this step back may cause as this pandemic continues to grip and control our lives. As mentioned repeatedly, our ongoing commitment is to ensure the health and safety of all, in saying this we appreciate your genuine commitment to help us with this through acknowledging and respecting the directions we must adhere to. We will continue to keep you updated on our direction as we monitor and assess our next steps in managing the ongoing risk. We thank you for your ongoing patience during these unprecedented times and your support. We are all in this together, together we will get through this! #inthistogether