COVID-19 Updates
Welcome to our COVID-19 information page. Here we will update you on everything you need to know about Bay Haven Care Community and COVID-19.
Visitor Absences Social Gatherings Snapshot March 14th, 2022
Key Messages to Support Residents and Families in LTC Homes 2022
March Easements Webinar
Published: Friday, March 11, 2022
Update on Bay Haven Retirement Home Outbreak
Dear Retirement Home Family and Friends,
There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Bay Haven retirement home technically remains in outbreak. However, residents who tested negative on their PCR tests will come out of isolation starting Thursday, February 10th for lunch and all subsequent meals. Those residents who tested positive on their PCR tests will remain isolated in their rooms for 10 days. Well residents will be required to wear masks when walking in public areas of the home until further notice.
After much pleading, Public Health is permitting well residents to walk outside provided they stay on the property and are masked. Group activities, hair salon, and foot care services remain suspended until Public Health declares the home out of outbreak.
A special thank you to our wonderful staff who have volunteered and organized an ingenious staff co-horting plan. Staff will be divided into two groups, one group caring for the non-well residents and the other group caring for the well residents. This staff co-horting plan allows the well residents to come out of isolation early instead of having to wait the entire 10-day period, while the non-well residents recover.
As you know, the health care sector is in a staffing crisis, but our dedicated staff have again risen to the occasion working double shifts and delaying their vacations and time off requests for the good of the residents. Our staff sincerely care about the residents well being and their happiness.
As previously mentioned, Essential Designated Caregivers (EDC) are encouraged to visit the home during an outbreak. To book an EDC appointment or register to become an EDC, please go to Bay Havens’ website to learn more or to book an available time slot.
Finally, thank you for your continued support as we struggle to keep our residents happy and safe. Stay tuned for further updates as new information becomes available.
Sincerely, The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Wednesday, February 9th, 2022
Bay Haven Retirement Home is in an Outbreak
Dear Retirement Home Family and Friends,
Bay Haven retirement home is currently in outbreak. Four residents and one staff member have tested positive on their PCR tests. Affected residents have been isolated to their rooms in accordance with Public Health and Ministry protocols and families have been notified. As an additional precaution to prevent the further spread of the virus, all retirement home residents must remain in their rooms until further notice as per Public Health guidelines.
PCR tests were completed on all retirement home residents on Sunday February 6. Once all PCR test results have been processed, Public Health will advise when, and if COVID negative residents can come out of their rooms. Bay Haven will keep residents and families posted as we learn more.
Dr. Gandhi, Bay Haven’s resident doctor has prescribed Luvox and Flovent medications for all COVID positive residents. These medications help to reduce the symptoms of the virus and make the resident more comfortable. Fortunately, symptoms are mild and include just postnasal drip and a hoarse voice.
On a more positive note, all eligible retirement home residents received their fourth COVID-19 booster last week. This extra layer of protection has shown to help reduce the severity of the illness and in some cases prevent break through of the virus.
Essential Designated Caregivers (EDC) are encouraged to visit the home during an outbreak. These visits are important to residents and help to combat loneliness and boredom. To book an EDC appointment or register to become an EDC, please go to Bay Havens’ website to learn more or to book an available time slot.
The Omicron variant is proving to be a very tricky and highly contagious virus. Despite daily screening, swabbing, PPE, contact tracing and multiple vaccines the virus is everywhere. Vaccinated staff and residents can present asymptomatic but still unknowingly infect others. Drastic isolation measures intended to break the chain of transmission come at a huge mental and physical cost to our residents. We know firsthand the tremendous toll this pandemic has had on residents and their families, and we share your frustration that better tools are not available to end this suffering.
Despite these scary times our exhausted team continues to come to work often working 12-hour shifts. Please take a moment to recognize how fortunate we are to have such a dedicated team who choose to make sacrifices so they can care for your loved ones.
Thank you for your continued support as we fight to keep our residents and staff safe. Stay tuned for further updates as new information becomes available. Stay positive and test negative.
Sincerely
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Monday, February 7th, 2022
Bay Haven Retirement Home is in a Suspect Outbreak
Dear Retirement Home Families and Friends,
Bay Haven Care Community Retirement Home is in a suspect outbreak as of today, February 3rd, 2022.
One resident has tested positive twice on a Rapid Antigen Test and the other suspect resident tested negative but is considered a high risk contact. Both residents are not showing any symptoms, both residents have been PCR swabbed and will remain isolated in their rooms until PCR results are known. Families of the affected resident have been notified.
Retirement Home residents can still continue eat in the dining room but recreational activities have been suspended until PCR test results are known. Residents are encouraged to wear face masks and practice social distancing when walking in the home.
Residents are not permitted to leave the facility for any social outings. Only residents attending essential medical appointment are permitted to leave the home and they must wear PPE and be screened and swabbed upon their return.
Bay Haven staff continue to follow enhanced precautions including daily screening, swabbing, and wearing of masks and eye protection and follow Public Health and RHRA guidelines.
General Visitors are still not permitted in the home. However, Essential Designated Caregivers are still permitted entry to help support their love ones. If you are interested in becoming an Essential Designated Caregiver, please speak to Marco or the Charge Nurse for more information.
Bay Haven is grateful for the continued courageous efforts our staff have shown during these tough couple of months.
The entire Bay Haven team is very appreciative of the support and kindness shown by our families and friends during these difficult times.
We will be in contact as new information becomes available.
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Wednesday, February 3rd, 2022
Bay Haven Nursing Home Officially Declared Out of Outbreak
Dear Bay Haven Nursing Home Family and Friends,
Exciting news!
Today Public Health declared Bay Haven Nursing Home officially out of outbreak!
Both east and west wing residents are now be permitted to take their meals in the dining room and to attend small group activities.
Bay Haven will still follow enhanced precautions including daily screening, swabbing, and wearing respirators and eye protection throughout the home. Staff and resident cohorting and social distancing protocols also remain in effect.
Although our residents and staff are currently symptom free, the omicron virus continues to be active throughout the community. We will continue to be on guard and be extra cautious to prevent this tricky virus from sneaking into our home again.
Bay Haven is grateful for the courageous efforts our staff have taken during this month-long outbreak. The entire Bay Haven team are also grateful for the support all the families have shown us during this horrible time.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Monday, January 24th, 2022
January 18th update on COVID-19 Outbreak at Bay Haven Care Community
Dear Bay Haven Family and Friends,
Bay Haven nursing home continues to remain in outbreak.
Two new COVID-19 positive nursing home cases were confirmed late last week. Those residents have been moved into separate isolation rooms. Public Health is advising that all nursing home residents remain isolated in their rooms until further notice.
Good news for retirement home residents who can come out of isolation and resume activities and meals in the dining room on January 20th. Public Health has advised that the new date to potentially declare the outbreak over is January 28th provided there are no new cases. Fingers and toes crossed!
Bay Haven continues to follow the legal and medical directives of Public Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority. Everyone entering our home, including staff, caregivers and essential support workers are screened and rapid tested. Regular PPE shipments of gowns, N95 masks, goggles and gloves continue to be delivered and we are not experiencing any shortages at this time. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces protocols are also being followed.
Staffing continues to be a challenge. Community spread of the virus is sidelining many of our staff and care givers adding pressure to an already scarce labour pool. Agency staff are filling in where possible but finding staff who want to work in this sector is proving very difficult.
On a positive note, the Red Cross has been a blessing in supporting our dedicated but exhausted staff. Red Cross workers assist with feeding and visiting residents’ processing laundry and disinfecting high touch surfaces. Red Cross’s assistance has allowed our nursing staff to spend more time providing direct care for our residents. The Red Cross will be with us until the end of January.
Public Health is expected to announce this week when fourth dose boosters will be available for retirement and nursing home residents.
The Ministry of Health is making third dose boosters mandatory for all eligible retirement and long-term care staff. Bay Haven will be offering an inhouse booster clinic on January 25. We remain hopeful that all staff will agree to get their third dose and that the mandatory vaccine policy will not further contribute to the labor shortage. Bay Haven continues to educate staff about the importance of receiving the booster vaccine and will make getting a booster as convenient as possible.
Bay Haven thanks you and all our community partners for their continued support and the much-appreciated snacks so many of you have sent.
Stay tuned for further updates as new information becomes available.
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Tuesday, January 18th, 2022
Latest update on the Bay Haven Nursing Home COVID-19 Outbreak
Dear Nursing Home Family and Friends,
Bay Haven Nursing Home is again under enhanced precautions with residents isolating in their rooms in accordance with Public Health and Ministry protocols due to a potential high-risk contact.
Currently, there are no new confirmed cases or residents exhibiting symptoms, but Public Health is being extra cautious when it comes to dealing with the very tricky Omicron variant.
PCR tests were completed on all residents on Sunday, January 9, and those test swabs were sent to the lab today. PCR lab processing times are averaging 5 to 7 days. We will keep everyone posted when we know more and when the residents can come out of isolation.
Now for some good news! Eight Canadian Red Cross (CRC) general aid workers have been assigned to Bay Haven for four weeks to help support our exhausted and demoralized staff. These CRC general aid workers will assist with feeding, enhanced cleaning, and visiting residents. A special thank you to our local Public Health and Ministry of Health team members for arranging CRC support.
The Ministry of Health is expected to announce this month when the fourth dose boosters will be available for long term care residents. This added layer of protection is expected to further protect our vulnerable seniors as the third dose efficacy begins to wane and the pandemic continues to drag on.
And finally, all line listed COVID-19 infected staff cases have been resolved! A special shout out to all our dedicated team members who have been working tirelessly, often 12-hour shifts to care for (their) residents. Please thank our PSW’s, registered nurses and all Bay Haven support staff who choose to come to work during these difficult and scary times to care for your loved ones.
Thank you for your continued support as we fight to keep our residents and staff safe.
Stay tuned for further updates as new information becomes available.
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Monday, January 10th, 2022
Bay Haven Retirement Home is in a COVID-19 Outbreak
Dear Retirement Home Families,
Public Health has declared the Retirement Home to be in a COVID-19 outbreak.
All residents have been isolated in their rooms as a precautionary measure after two residents tested positive on rapid test. If your loved one tested positive, Bay Haven will have already reached out to you.
COVID-19 PCR tests were completed on all residents and staff on Sunday January 9, and those test swabs were sent to the lab today. PCR lab processing times are averaging 5 to 7 days. We will keep everyone posted when we know more.
Bay Haven is working closely with Public Health and Dr. Gandhi (Bay Haven’s Medical Advisor) to ensure all IPAC and Ministry directives and guidelines are being properly followed.
Marco (Recreation) will be visiting isolated residents in their rooms to help keep their spirits up. If your interested in setting up a Zoom or FaceTime call with your loved one, please contact Marco for further details.
Thank you for your continued support as we fight to keep our residents and staff safe.
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Monday, January 10th, 2022
Good News for the Bay Haven Retirement Home!
Dear Families and Friends,
Good news! All of the Retirement Home residents have tested negative for COVID-19.
Effective January 1st, 2022, all Retirement Home residents will no longer have to be confined to their rooms. However, residents are not allowed to leave the home for any outings or social visits. Residents are allowed to attend outdoor medical appointments only.
All activities will be limited to a maximum of six residents per program. There will be no cross over between the nursing home and retirement home residents as the nursing home remains in lockdown.
All meal services in the Retirement Home dining room will resume as normal.
Our staff will continue to follow all safety measures such as mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing to ensure everyone in the home remains safe.
We would like to thank everyone for their generosity and support to our staff during these difficult times. We understand that the timing of all of this is hard for families, but everyday we do our best to continue protecting the health and safety of our residents from COVID-19.
Thank you for your understanding and we hope you all have a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Saturday, January 1st, 2022
Retirement Home Update on Bay Haven COVID-19 Outbreak
Dear Retirement Home Family and Friends,
Bay Haven Nursing Home remains in outbreak and is working closely with Public Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, Infection Prevention and Control professionals, the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team, and our Medical Advisor, Dr. Gandhi to implement protective measures to keep our residents and staff safe.
Here is what we know today:
There are zero confirmed cases in the retirement home of COVID-19 positive residents. All retirement residents have been PCR tested and lab results confirm no positive cases.
As a precaution, retirement home residents will remain isolated in their rooms and are monitored daily for symptoms. This week, residents will be PCR tested a second time, and must stay in their rooms until Public Health confirms the lab results and advises next steps.
Dr. Gandhi has prescribed various medications to all asymptomatic residents to help them prevent and fight off the virus. Eight nursing home staff, who were all double vaccinated have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self isolating at home with mild symptoms.
All staff working in the home are screened, rapid tested and wear full PPE including, face shields, gowns, gloves and N95 respirators. All staff have been twice vaccinated and many have received their third booster. During the last few days, all staff working in the home have taken a PCR test. We are waiting for their test results from the lab.
Bay Haven has sufficient PPE, medical equipment and disinfecting and cleaning supplies thanks to the gracious support from our area health care providers including the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, area nursing homes, and the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team.
What can you do to help?
Please consider providing coffee, pizza, sandwiches or individually wrapped treats or a gift certificate. A kind word to a staff member or an uplifting note to the team also goes a long way to maintaining staff moral during this upheaval.
We realize these are excruciating times for families and our residents. The Bay Haven team is exhausted and scared but we are doing everything in our power to keep our residents safe. Please be patient and kind when calling the home as we are doing our best to provide care to your loved ones.
Bay Haven will communicate updates when new information becomes available.
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Monday, December 27th, 2021
Nursing Home Update on Bay Haven COVID-19 Outbreak
Dear Family and Friends,
Bay Haven Nursing Home remains in outbreak and is working closely with Public Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, Infection Prevention and Control professionals, the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team, and our Medical Advisor, Dr. Gandhi, to implement protective measures to keep our residents and staff safe.
Here is what we know today:
Three nursing home residents have tested positive for COVID-19. These residents are isolating by themselves and are experiencing mild symptoms including scratchy throat and runny nose. If your loved one is COVID-19 positive you will have already been notified by the charge nurse.
Dr. Gandhi has prescribed various medications to symptomatic and non symptomatic residents to help them fight the virus.
Eight staff, who were all double vaccinated have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self isolating at home with mild symptoms.
All staff working in the home are screened, rapid tested, and wear full PPE including, face shields, gowns, gloves, and N95 respirators. All staff have been twice vaccinated and many have received their third booster. During the last few days all staff working in the home have taken a PCR test. We are waiting for their test results from the lab.
Residents remain in their rooms and are receiving personal care, meals, and daily visits from the recreation team. Residents are monitored daily for symptoms.
Essential Designated Caregivers, who are fully vaccinated, and N95 mask fit tested may assist feeding their loved ones. Please call the home for further details.
Bay Haven has sufficient PPE, medical equipment, and disinfecting and cleaning supplies thanks to the gracious support from our area health care providers including the hospital, area nursing homes and the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team.
What can you do to help?
Please consider providing coffee, pizza, sandwiches or individually wrapped treats or a gift certificate. A kind word to a staff member or an uplifting note to the team also goes a long way to maintain staff moral.
We realize these are excruciating times for families and our residents. The Bay Haven team is exhausted and scared but we are doing everything in our power to keep our residents safe. Please be patient and kind when calling the home as we are doing our best to provide care to your loved ones.
Bay Haven will communicate updates when new information becomes available.
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Monday, December 27th, 2021
COVID-19 Outbreak at Bay Haven Care Community
Dear Families and Friends,
Today, Public Health declared Bay Haven Nursing Home to be officially in an outbreak. An outbreak is defined when one or more staff or residents experience the same symptoms or have received a positive test result. Several staff have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently self-isolating at home.
This morning, all nursing home residents were PCR tested and swabs were sent to the lab for processing. We expect lab test results by late tomorrow or Friday. As an added precaution, staff are also being PCR tested over the next few days in addition to being rapid tested at the start of their shift.
In the meantime, staff have been diligently following Public Health and Ontario government guidelines and directives and implementing recommended precautions including:
Isolating residents to their rooms.
Rapid testing staff at the start of their shift. Staff wear appropriate PPE when assisting residents, including N95 respirators.
Cancelling general visiting. Essential Designated care givers, who are fully vaccinated may assist with feeding their loved ones. Please contact the home for further details if you’re interested.
Cancelling group activities. Recreation staff are visiting residents in their rooms.
Installing additional hepa filter air purifiers units throughout the resident home areas.
Daily zoom meetings with Public Health where IPAC and staffing strategies are discussed and implemented.
Daily communication with Bay Haven’s Dr. Gandhi who has prescribed vitamin C for all residents to help boost their immune system.
Ensuring adequate supplies of PPE, testing kits and other essential high use supplies are available.
The Bay Haven team is in an all-out war to protect and keep safe our residents from the fourth COVID-19 wave. Like you, we are scared but we are driven to do everything in our power to keep our residents well.
During this tough holiday season, please help us beat this relentless virus by keeping your family gatherings small, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distancing in public settings and getting your third booster shot if you’re able.
Please keep sending us your positive thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Thursday, December 23rd, 2021
New COVID-19 Restrictions Starting December 17th, 2021
Dear Bay Haven Families and Friends,
Amid rising COVID-19 case numbers and the Omicron variant, the Ontario government has issued new measures to protect the health and safety of residents, staff and caregivers in long-term care and retirement homes. These temporary measures will help reduce the risk of transmission during the winter months.
Effective immediately, all general visitors to Bay Haven Care Community must be fully vaccinated to enter. In addition, the Ministry will be directing all long-term care homes to increase Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) audits.
The following measures at long-term care homes will also go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021:
- Rapid Antigen testing of all staff, students, volunteers, and caregivers, regardless of vaccination status, at least twice per week prior to entry into the home as part of enhanced active screening practices.
- Requiring a negative test upon entry to a long-term care home for all visitors and support workers who provide essential services to a resident or to the facility unless they had a negative test the day before.
- Requiring caregivers to be fully vaccinated unless they have a valid medical exemption or are attending to a resident in a palliative end-of-life situation. Caregivers will be required to have a first dose by December 20, 2021, and all required doses to be considered fully vaccinated by February 21, 2022. In the interim, designated caregivers who are not fully vaccinated must restrict their visit to the resident’s room.
- Limiting indoor visits to a maximum of two people per resident at a time and outdoor visits, where feasible, to a maximum total of four people per resident at a time.
- Cohorting of residents for higher-risk activities, such as singing and dancing, and discouraging large social activities. This is in addition to the cohorting of residents during mealtimes, which is currently occurring.
- Limiting social day trips to only residents who are fully vaccinated and requiring those residents who leave the home for social reasons to be actively screened upon their return to the home and if they had a known exposure to a case, isolated and tested using a PCR test. All residents, regardless of vaccination status, can continue to leave the home for essential reasons, such as medical appointments.
- Suspending overnight absences of Nursing Home residents for social purposes regardless of residents’ vaccination status. Residents who wish to leave the home overnight for social purposes or due to COVID-19 may be temporarily discharged and need to follow the re-admission protocol to return later.
- Strongly encouraging Retirement Home residents to not leave the home overnight for social purposes. If a Retirement resident chooses to leave the home for an overnight visit, they will need to have a COVID-19 PCR test and have a negative result within 24 hours of returning. Resident will be in isolation upon return. On day seven of their isolation, another PCR test will be done. Isolation will be discontinued once we receive a negative result.
Click to view the summary chart that provides an overview of changes for the Long-Term Care Home
Click to view the summary chart that provides an overview of changes for the Retirement Home
We are sensitive to the timing of these new measures as the holiday season is upon us, but at the same time we are committed to protecting the health and safety of all our residents and staff. Implementing these extra layers of protection will help keep us safe and shielded from the threats posed by Omicron and other variants of concern.
Thank you for your continued support as we continue the fight against COVID-19.
The Bay Haven Care Community Team
Published: Friday, December 17th, 2021
CTV News Interview with Dr. Gandhi #2
Click on the image below to watch another CTV News interview with Dr. Gandhi.
CTV News Interview with Dr. Gandhi #1
Click on the image below to watch a CTV News interview with Dr. Gandhi about the new delta variant in Simcoe Muskoka and ICU beds being at full capacity.
Let’s Discuss the AstraZenca Vaccine
Click the photo of Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik, MD, CCFP to read her article about the AstraZenca vaccine.
Published: April 1, 2021
Which COVID-19 Vaccine Should You Get?
Click the photo of Dr. Gandhi to read his article about which vaccine you should get.
Published: March 13, 2021
Facts & Myths about the COVID Vaccine
Click the photo of Dr. Gandhi to read his article about the facts and myths about the COVID vaccine.
Published: January 20, 2021
Letter to the Staff of My Nursing Home
A personalized letter to the staff at Bay Haven Care Community from Dr. Gandhi.
Published: December 20, 2020
Click on the logos for more COVID-19 Information
