Congregate Settings

For the COVID-19 outbreak definition, please consult the Ministry of Health’s; COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes, and Other Congregate Living Settings for Public Health Units 

For the Respiratory unspecified outbreak definition, please consult the Ministry of Health’s; Infectious Disease Protocol Appendix 1: Case Definitions and Disease-Specific Information; Disease: Respiratory Infection Outbreaks in Institutions and Public Hospitals

For the Gastroenteritis outbreak definition, please consult the Ministry of Health’s; Recommendations for the Control of Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes 

Screening residents and staff regularly for early signs and symptoms of illness my help to detect and prevent the spread of disease and may reduce the risk of outbreaks. 

Ottawa Public Health recommends that staff continue to self-monitor prior to entering the Long-Term Care Home Retirement Home or congregate living setting. A self-assessment tool is available on the Ontario Health website. 

Testing and isolation are highly recommended for all individuals experiencing symptoms and that reside or work in a high-risk setting*.

As per the latest Ministry of Health Guidance, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) would like to call attention to the recommendations regarding transfers and repatriations to Long Term Care Homes (LTCHs), Retirement Homes (RH) and congregate living settings. Residents are no longer required to be tested prior to or upon repatriation to their home if they do not present with symptoms. It is however, recommended that facilities screen the resident upon entry and act accordingly. 

For COVID-19 specific guidance on testing and isolation, please refer to the MOHs’ COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term care Homes, Retirement Home, and Other Congregate Living Settings for Public Health Units (January 18, 2023) and the MOH’s Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario (November 30, 2022 (Version 15.1)) or OPH’s COVID-19 Testing and Care Information page.

*High risk settings include acute care settings such as hospitals, including complex continuing care facilities, congregate living settings, including, Long-Term Care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions and hospital schools.

When an outbreak is suspected, implement the following outbreak control measures as soon as possible:

• Isolate ill residents
• Exclude ill staff
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing care to ill residents
• Ensure adequate and frequent hand washing
• Ensure staff within the facility are aware of the outbreak
• Notify internal and external partners of outbreak (including volunteers)
• Post outbreak signage at the facility entrances and affected units
• Institute enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection (at least twice daily)
• Modify activities on affected units as appropriate
• Limit movement on and off the unit by cohorting staff as feasible
• Avoid having visitors and volunteers
• Notify OPH of the potential outbreak
• Discuss any transfers or new admissions of residents with OPH
• Ensure active surveillance for new cases and report all new cases to OPH 

When an outbreak is suspected or declared, it is recommended that facilities increase their environmental cleaning and disinfection of all high-touch surfaces and resident rooms to twice daily (minimum). 

Is it important to ensure that the product is effective against the agent circulating in the home. Accelerated hydrogen peroxide products or a proper dilution of bleach and water will cover a large spectrum of pathogens frequently identified in healthcare institutions. 

Products with shorter contact times (one minute, three minutes) are preferred to ensure the surface has been cleaned and disinfected appropriately. Please ensure to review the contact time of your products to ensure proper environmental cleaning protocols. 

Access the Public Health Ontario website for additional resources on environmental cleaning and disinfection best practices.