Ministry of Health: April 15, 2020
Note: This COVID—19 Outbreak Guidance for Long—Term Care Homes (LTCH) is
intended to complement Directive #3 issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health
to LTCHs, dated April 15th, 2020 or as amended.
Where there is any conflict between this COVID—19 Outbreak Guidance and Directive #3 (or any other Directive issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health) or any emergency order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act the Directive or emergency order, as the case may be, prevails.
Public health units (PHUs) should refer to the 2018 document as the foundational document for respiratory outbreak related guidance on the preparedness, prevention. and management of COVID—19 related outbreaks.
Emerging information on COVID—19 suggests older adults with underlying health
conditions are at increased risk of severe outcomes. Therefore, early identification of cases associated with LTCHs and rapid implementation of outbreak control measures are essentiai to preventing spread within the home.
As per section 1.1.1. of the guidance document, COVID—19 is a new, emerging pathogen, and the following information is intended to provide any COVID—19 specific guidance not already addressed in the document.