Next Family Town Hall Zoom call: Monday, December 13th, 2021 at 5:00 pm. Questions can be sent to us at info@villacolombo.on.ca by 12:00 p.m. on December 12th, 2021.
To access the Family Town Hall, please click here or dial 1-647-374-4685 webinar ID: 885 4632 7023.
November 12, 2021
Dear Family and Friends:
Thanks to the ongoing monitoring and continued vigilance of our staff, families and visitors with IPAC practices and the high vaccination rates among staff, visitors and residents, Villa Colombo Toronto (VCT) continues to have no positive COVID-19 cases. Our COVID-19 experience has been long and challenging; however with no new cases since early 2021, we are starting to see more stability in the Home. Although we remain COVID-19 free, we did have two instances that were concerning for VCT. It had been identified that a resident had been exposed to a potentially positive visitor in late October. It was subsequently determine that the visitor was not positive and precautions were cancelled. During the same week, another resident was placed on droplet contact precautions due to a potential exposure to a positive visitor. Given that this visitor had not been to VCT during the period of communicability no precautions were required.
The COVID-19 booster doses (3rd dose) are being administered to residents who consent as soon as they become eligible (6 months post the date of their 2nd dose). To date, 76% of the residents have received the booster dose. All other residents, who consent, will receive their 3rd dose once they become eligible (6 months post their second dose). Our vaccination rate for residents is at 97% for the first dose and 95% for the second dose. For any of you who may be interested, long-term care facilities’ immunization rates are posted on the Ministry’s website at:
Designated essential caregivers are now eligible for the 3rd dose of the vaccine. We are not currently providing 3rd dose of the vaccine to essential caregivers, however an appointment can be booked by accessing the COVID-19 vaccine appointment portal at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or by calling 1-833-943-3900. You are required to bring proof to your appointment that you are a designated essential caregiver. Please contact Teresa Manserra or tmanserra@villacolombo.on.ca or call 416- 789-2113, ext. 2256 for a letter of evidence.
On September 27, 2021, VCT implemented the COVID-19 Immunization Policy mandating all staff, students, volunteers and support workers to be fully immunized by November 8, 2021. The policy was communicated accordingly to all staff, the union, residents and their families, students and schools, and vendors/ contractors. On October 1st, 2021 the Ministry of Long-Term Care announced that all long-term care staff, students, support workers and volunteers would need to provide proof of their full vaccination by November 15, 2021 in order to continue working in LTC. Despite the Ministry’s announcement, VCT maintained the November 8th 2021, target date. As a result of this policy, four employees have been placed on a leave.
On October 25, 2021, Villa Colombo Toronto advised all families that effective October 28, 2021, VCT would be implementing a policy requiring that all family members and caregivers to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to visit. This would mean that all visitors would be required to show their proof of full vaccination and their identification when visiting. Given some exemptions to the policy under very specific criteria, only a small number of individuals will require rapid testing at each visit. As such, we will be re-evaluating and adjusting the hours of the testing centre as we move forward. Despite the change in policy and that fully vaccinated people are no longer required to have a rapid test; the Ministry does require that Villa Colombo Toronto conduct random rapid testing on an all visitors. If you are selected for a random test, the staff at the screening test will notify when you sign-in.
VCT has launched the 2021 Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys commencing October 25th, 2021. Families have the option to complete the survey online or complete a hard copy. A PDF of the survey has been emailed to you via School Messenger and hardcopies are available at the screening desk. We have received some inquiries regarding the Extendicare survey. We want to clarify that although the survey is an Extendicare tool, you are evaluating VCT and not Extendicare. Please take some time to complete the survey and tell us how we are doing. The deadline for submitting the surveys is Friday December 3rd, 2021.
As you may be aware, on October 6, 2021, following the reduction in pandemic funding, the Ontario government announced that it will provide up to $270 million in 2021/22 to LTC homes across the province. The funding will increase daily average hours of direct care per resident by 45 minutes bringing the total to 3 hours per day (based on 2018 data). The funding is targeted for nursing registered nurses (RNs), registered practical nurses (RPNs) and personal support workers (PSWs). Funding to increase services provided by allied will also be increase to 33 minutes by the end of this fiscal year. VCT has started identifying areas for staffing increases to begin the hiring process. The Senior Management team would like to thank Family Council members who provided feedback in regards to the funding announcement. VCT has been actively hiring to ensure we fill as many of our new positions with qualified staff as quickly as possible.
Last communication we announced the implementation of the web-based Community InTouch Link Portal for our family members to be more connected with Villa Colombo Toronto and to have access to resident program and other important information and events. The system requires you to register and is very easy-to-use. Please be sure to sign up so you can access updated information about Villa Colombo and other pertinent community events. If you need help and assistance with your enrollment, please contact us at info@villacolombo.on.ca.
Please attend our next Family Town Hall Zoom call scheduled on Monday, December 13th, 2021 at 5:00 pm. Questions can be sent to us at info@villacolombo.on.ca by 12:00 p.m. on December 12th, 2021. To access the Family Town Hall, please click here or dial 1-647-374-4685 webinar ID: 885 4632 7023.
Best wishes,
Toni Dell’Aquila Executive Director
