Protecting nursing homes from new wave likely costly

Report forecasts $14.5M to reopen LTC homes and suggests virtual visits

It will cost Toronto $14.5 million to reopen its 10 nursing homes safely and prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19, according to a report released Monday.

The measures being recommended include continuing to screen everyone for illness who enters the homes, including temperature checks, mandatory use of masks and other personal protective equipment for staff, maintaining physical distancing measures and limiting staff to working at a single location. It also recommends expanding the use of technology to allow more virtual visits.

The report, by staff from the city’s seniors services and longterm care division, was released at the COVID-19 briefing at city hall on Monday. The report reviews what happened at the city’s long-term-care homes during the pandemic and makes 16 recommendations for action moving forward.

The most expensive is maintaining mandatory and full access to PPE, estimated at $7.5 million a year; maintaining active screening of staff, essential visitors and residents comes with an estimated price tag of $3.5 million a year.

“Implementation of these key recommendations will enable SSLTC to continue its proactive and nimble COVID-19 response, and ensure the city’s long-term care homes are prepared for a potential second wave of COVID-19,” according to the report.

The city took early action prior to the World Health Organization declaring a pandemic to ensure a safe environment for the 2,600 residents who live in the city’s 10 long-term-care homes, and the more than 3,300 people who work there, but despite best efforts, the virus proved difficult to contain, the report points out.

Three city homes, Seven Oaks, Kipling Acres and Lakeshore Lodge experienced significant outbreaks in the early states of the pandemic. Working experience gained in the early outbreaks helped the city more effectively mitigate outbreaks in other city homes.

According to the report, as the homes gradually reopen, based on that early experience and on guidance from local and provincial health authorities, communal dining will resume, while maintaining physical distancing. So will resident programs, with a maximum of five residents per group. Medical and other service appointments will resume, although virtual consultations will be performed as needed.

Returning residents and new residents that test negative 24 hours prior to admission will be admitted.