Congregate Settings

For the COVID-19 outbreak definition, please consult the Ministry of Health’s; Infectious Disease Protocol Appendix 1: Case Definitions and Disease-Specific Information Disease; Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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; Infectious Disease Protocol Appendix 1: Case Definitions and Disease-Specific Information Disease; Gastroenteritis, Outbreaks in institutions and public hospitals.

Screening residents and staff regularly for early signs and symptoms of illness may 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 who 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’ Infectious Disease Protocol Appendix 1: Case Definitions and Disease-Specific Information Disease; Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). and the MOH’s Recommendations for Outbreak Prevention and Control in Institutions and Congregate Living Settings 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.

Please refer to OPH's Outbreak Control Measures for Institutions, Congregate Living Settings, Child Care Centres and Schools for guidance of control measures based on your setting. 

When an outbreak is suspected or declared, it is recommended t/hat 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 will often cover a large spectrum of pathogens frequently identified in healthcare institutions.

Products with shorter contact times (1 minute, 3 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.  

Frequently Asked Questions