In collaboration with Public Health, the Maple Home Area has been added to the Gastroenteritis outbreak with two (2) residents showing symptoms. The Cedar Home Area remains in Outbreak with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Birch is currently in Enhanced Surveillance related to one (1) resident with gastroenteritis symptoms. The Oak Respiratory Outbreak has been declared over as of December 15, 2024. Enhanced surveillance continues in Cedar, related to one (1) resident testing positive for COVID.

The following infection control measures are to be implemented:

• Surgical Masks to be worn in the Cedar, Birch, & Maple Home Area
• Ensure the Public Health 4 moments of Hand Hygiene are followed
• Resident's Hand Hygiene before all meals and regularly throughout the day
• Ensure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used properly- including donning before entering and removing before exiting the isolated resident’s room
• Residents are to remain in the affected home area at this time to reduce the risk of spread
• *If residents insist on leaving the home area, please assist them with masking or a visor and encourage outdoor visiting.
• Twice daily respiratory symptom screening in Cedar, Birch, & Maple Home Area
• Immediate isolation of any residents with new symptom onset
• Cohorting of staff, when possible.
• Cohorting of residents and only small group activities in the home area for unaffected residents. Isolated residents to receive one-to-one activities.
• Twice daily high-touch surface cleaning- changing disinfecting product to 1-minute contact time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits in the home area with coaching
• Limit of two (2) essential caregivers at a time in the Maple and Cedar Home Area
• No General Visitors to the Maple and Cedar Home Area
• No impact on Visiting in Birch Home Area at this time

Please ensure that you are following the IPAC practices listed above as they are in place to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as we move through the outbreak.

If you have any questions, please contact the Nurse in Charge or Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca(External link)