COVID-19 Update
On March 11th, 2020 the World Health Organization characterized the current COVID-19 situation as a pandemic. On March 12th, 2020, Dr Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health provided this update https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/96bb-MOH-COVID-19-media-update_12March2020.pdf
Mosaic Home Care has been closely monitoring the development of the coronavirus within Canada and overseas. Over the last two weeks we have been upgrading our virus threat response procedures. As a provider of care services to individuals with high support needs important hand-washing and other viral protection protocols are part of standard service procedure.
Minimizing exposure to further potential risks will involve private caregivers, family and the person we are looking after. The following are a few of our more stringent protocols that we are introducing:
- We are instructing caregivers in the interests of client health needs to avoid social occasions and to limit their own community and social network interaction over the next few weeks.
- We would recommend that those we look after, and those of the close family that interact with the person regularly to consider limiting interaction with social occasions and other community interaction that might place them at higher risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
- Regular disinfectant of surfaces within client and family homes, in particular door handles, telephones, remote controls, countertops, appliance handles, washroom sinks, regular replacement of hand towels. We are also suggesting that caregivers consider similar initiatives in their own homes where there is high level traffic.
- Cleaning of all produce from grocery and other shopping: not just fruits and vegetables, but cans and plastics. Outer packaging should also be removed where possible.
- Caregivers are instructed to wear masks to clients with high support needs in particular to further minimize any risks of viral contamination. There may be exceptions to these rules for persons living with severe dementia, but these decisions will be made with family and physician involvement.
- We will also be monitoring all visitors to those we are looking after and checking on their potential exposure to limit the risk of our clients contracting the virus from their own contact base. Families may want to give consideration to the level of intimate contact and social distance between the person being looked after and visitors.
- The above are in addition normal hand-washing protocols and isolation procedures recommended by public health and our own closer monitoring of client and caregiver health. We are also instructing our caregivers to change into their work clothes at the client’s residence to avoid community contamination of clothing.
We remain committed to protecting the health of our clients, front line staff and their families. We continue to monitor updates surrounding COVID-19 closely on a daily basis. And implementing protocols designed to minimize contact with COVID-19 virus.
Mosaic Home Care & Community Resource Centres will cancel all programs at our Markham and Toronto Resource Centres until April 6th, 2020. We will provide an update through our social media and website.
Further information
Toronto Public Health: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/diseases-medications-vaccines/coronavirus/
Ontario Public Health: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus/public-resources
Important telephone numbers
Toronto Public Health: 416-338-7600
Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000