On Tuesday March 17^th the Ontario government declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 virus.  The government announced emergency funding that includes $50 million specifically for long-term care homes to support 24/7 screening, additional staffing in the support of infection control, and additional supplies that may be needed, as well as $50 million to increase the supply of personal protective equipment to protect workers and other critical supplies for health care workers, first responders, and patients.

OLTCA is continuing to advocate for additional funding, for more flexibility, and for relaxed regulatory oversight during this time to ensure long-term care homes can focus all their efforts on resident care and safety. 

“We are facing an unprecedented time in our history,” said Premier Ford. “This is a decision that was not made lightly. COVID-19 constitutes a danger of major proportions. We are taking this extraordinary measure because we must offer our full support and every power possible to help our health care sector fight the spread of COVID-19. The health and wellbeing of every Ontarian must be our number one priority.”

As a result of this decision and announcement, these establishments are legally required to close immediately:

• All facilities providing indoor recreational programs
• All public libraries
• All private schools as defined in the Education Act
• All licensed child care centres
• All bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery
• All theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies
• Concert venues.

To further this order of closures, all public events of over 50 people are also prohibited, including parades and events and communal services within places of worship. These orders were approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and will remain in place until March 31, 2020, at which point they will be reassessed and considered for extension, unless this order is dismissed earlier.

“We are acting on the best advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and other leading public health officials across the province,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We know these measures will affect people’s every day lives, but they are necessary to ensure that we can slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect our people. We’re working with all partners across the system, from public health to hospitals and community care, to do everything we can to contain this virus and ensure that the system is prepared to respond to any scenario.”

“Our government is taking an important step to protect Ontarians by declaring a provincial emergency through the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, establishing Ontario’s ability to quickly implement and enforce orders in the public interest,” said Solicitor General Jones. “Our government will continue to respond to this outbreak by limiting the exposure of individuals to COVID-19 and ensure the health and well-being of all Ontarians.”

Ontario is investing up to $304 million to enhance the province’s response to COVID-19 by providing the following monetary breakdown:

• $100 million for increased capacity in hospitals to assist with the effective treatment of COVID-19 patients both in critical care and medicine beds.
• $50 million for more testing and screening through public health, including additional funding to support extraordinary costs incurred to monitor, detect and contain COVID-19 in the province. This includes contact tracing, increased laboratory testing capacity and home testing.
• $50 million to further protect frontline workers, first responders and patients by increasing the supply of personal protective equipment and other critical supplies and equipment to protect them.
• $25 million to support frontline workers working in COVID-19 assessment centres, including the creation of a new fund to provide respite care, child care services and other supports as they are needed.
• $50 million for long-term care homes to support 24/7 screening, additional staffing to support infection control and additional supplies.
• $20 million for residential facilities in developmental services, gender-based services and protective care for children and youth to support additional staffing, respite for caregivers impacted by school closures, personal protective equipment and supplies and transportation costs to minimize client exposure and to support social distancing, as well as additional cleaning costs.
• $5 million to protect seniors in retirement homes through increased infection control and active screening procedures.
• $4 million for Indigenous communities to support transportation costs for health care professionals and the distribution of critical supplies.

Some additional facts: 

• This increased of funds include investments from Ontario’s previously-announced COVID-19 Contingency Fund, as well as funding from by the federal government.
• Coronaviruses comes from a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from a simple common cold to more serious respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome.
• At this time there is no vaccine available to protect against the COVID-19 virus, but there are steps you can take everyday that can help prevent the spread of germs that can cause respiratory illnesses.
  • Hand washing, avoid touching your face, wiping of common surfaces, self isolating if feeling unwell, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, eating well, and keeping 1 meter away from others are just some of the steps you can take to keep yourself well! 

Mom might have been on to something with her homemade pot of chicken soup!