Ontario announces local long-term care home investment of $1.8 million

Daryl Kramp, MPP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington announced Monday, Jan. 25, 2021 that the Ontario Government is investing $1,809,500 to increase COVID-19 prevention and containment efforts in long-term care (LTC) homes, in both his, and the adjacent riding of Kingston and the Islands.

“We are all well aware of the sterling record locally in our LTC homes but the Ontario Government recognizes that continuing vigilance and population protection requires additional measures and the funding to implement them,” Kramp said.

“The Ontario Government will continue to fund efforts to keep residents and staff safe from COVID infections as we await delivery of sufficient supplies of vaccine to protect everyone in our local communities.”

According to the provincial government, the new funding will cover eligible expenses related to:

• An immediate 24/7 health checkpoint to confirm staff and essential caregivers entering the building are properly screened for COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure, and to continue screening residents on an ongoing basis to support early detection and containment of any new infections
• Hiring new staff to carry out the added workload for essential services and/or to replace workers who are sick or in isolation;
• Cleaning, equipment, and operating supplies beyond typical levels for the home;
• Implementing infection control measures based on clinical evidence, advice from a physician or other regulated health practitioners with expertise in infection control.

These are the local recipients of the new funding:

The news comes on the same day that Kingston Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health reported its first lab-confirmed case of a new, more transmissible COVID-19 variant in the region. Public health officials confirmed recently that COVID-19 variant is responsible for the rapid spread and total infection of residents at a Barrie retirement home.