Province Aware of Allendale Outbreak

By: Laura Steiner

COVID19 has made into Milton’s Allendale Long Term Care (LTC) facility. The Region of Halton declare was declared in an outbreak as of November  13 2020. “The ministry is in frequent contact with homes, including Allendale, regarding the rapidly changing situation and risk level to residents,” LTC spokesperson Rob McMahon said in an email.    As of November 29, there were 41 total cases, breaking down to 34 resident cases, 4 staff, and 3 listed as “role not specified.”  Four residents have died.

On Saturday, the province approved new management agreements for LTC homes in Scarborough and Richmond Hill allowing area hospitals to help manage Rockcliffe Care Community (Scarborough), and Langstaff Square Community (Richmond Hill).  The Minister makes decisions on management agreements based on the following criteria:

• COVID-19 cases among residents and/or staff, a high number of deaths, and an outbreak that is persistent and difficult to resolve
• The home is showing persistent or significant staffing concerns, despite efforts made to escalate and obtain staffing supports
• Serious concerns have been noted from Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) assessments completed by IPAC teams

The province has invested in $500 million into long term care to buy  new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and hire more people. Allendale is among nine open outbreaks throughout the region of Halton Milton MPP Parm Gill tweeted that his office is working with the Ministry of Long Term Care to assist Allendale.