Toronto LTCs hit hard by COVID-19
Fairview Nursing Home, Vermont Square report 89 total positive cases
Two nursing homes in Toronto appear to be among the hardest hit long-term-care facilities by a COVID-19 outbreak, in the latest numbers released by the province.
The 108-bed Fairview Nursing Home, near Dufferin Street and Dundas Street West, reported 42 residents and 12 staff members testing positive, making it Ontario’s largest active outbreak at an LTC home. Less than five deaths have been reported, although it’s not clear why there isn’t a more exact figure.
The 130-bed Vermont Square nursing home on Bathurst Street, north of Bloor Street West, reported an active outbreak with 35 confirmed cases — 25 residents and 10 staff. No deaths have been reported.
Abiola Awosanya, executive director of Vermont Square, told the Star in an email that “all government directives and infection prevention and control protocols are being followed. Our families are informed and the home is closed to visitors, with the exception of essential caregivers.”
According to its website, Vermont Square said it’s engaging in active screening of all residents and staff at least twice daily, universal masking and following “enhanced infection protocols.”
“We share the pain and suffering of those residents, families and staff who are actively fighting the disease, and our deepest sympathies are extended to those families who have lost a loved one,” it said.
In an update Friday, Schlegal Villages, which owns Fairview Nursing Home, said its “team continues to work closely with a number of external health partners to review practices and policies and we are proud of the team for consistently showing that the home is following every infection and control protocol to the letter.”
Schlegal Villages did not immediately comment when contacted by the Star.
The province has a total of 45 LTC homes with active coronavirus outbreaks, according to its latest data Saturday morning.
An active outbreak indicates that the home has at least one lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 (in resident or staff) and the local public health unit or the home has declared an outbreak.
Other homes with major outbreaks in the province include the 242-bed Extendicare West End Villa in Ottawa with 18 residents infected, 19 deaths and 32 staff testing positive; the 60bed Norwood Nursing Home in Toronto (12 infected residents; less than five deaths and six staff); and 200-bed Yee Hong Centre in Markham (seven residents, less than five deaths and less than five staff ).