Urgent measures ordered for Vaughan retirement home struggling with COVID-19

Numbers skyrocketing with more than 60 per cent of residents infected with the coronavirus

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 9, 2020
Kim Zarzour

Public health authorities have stepped in to help gain control over a massive outbreak of COVID-19 at a Vaughan retirement home, where almost two thirds of residents have been infected.

In less than two weeks since the outbreak was declared at Woodbridge’s Villa da Vinci, 66 of the home’s 108 residents, and 26 of its 62 caregiver staff, tested positive for the coronavirus.

Two residents at the Sienna-operated home have died.

Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s medical officer of health, said public health conducted inspections at the home on Martin Grove Road and received information that the institution has inadequate and/or insufficient staffing levels and inadequate knowledge and processes to protect residents’ needs.

As a result, he said, the home requires assistance from York Region Public Health, William Osler Health System, Public Health Ontario and the Local Health Integration Network to provide expertise to help contain and stop the COVID-19 outbreak.

Kurji issued an order Nov. 5 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, requiring Villa da Vinci to take specific actions, including complying with infection prevention and control measures, acquiring equipment, supplies and services to monitor and control the outbreak and ensuring the institution has sufficient staffing and training for staff and essential visitors.

Villa da Vinci is one of two Woodbridge facilities struggling with exploding outbreaks in recent weeks.

A few miles to the east on Islington Avenue, Chartwell Pine Grove Long-term Care Residence has seen 58 of its 109 residents contract COVID-19 and 22 staff have tested positive for the virus.

Three residents have died.

Sienna and Chartwell are two of the biggest for-profit long-term care companies in the province and spokespersons for both said they have increased infection prevention and control.

Sienna spokesperson Natalie Gokchenian said in an email Nov. 6 the company views health and safety of residents and staff its highest priority.

"As COVID-19 continues to present new challenges across the system, we are prepared to respond with all the support our residents and team members need," she said.

Gokchenian said Sienna took "significant action" in the past few months to prepare for the second wave with increased PPE are reinforced prevention protection and control

In tackling the current situation at Villa da Vinci, Sienna made "significant increases" to staffing to ensure residents are cared for safely, she said.

The worst outbreaks in York Region thus far in the pandemic took place in April, during the first wave, at Sutton's River Glen Haven long-term care when 90 of the home's 115 residents caught the virus and 36 died, Woodbridge Vista Care when 108 of the home's 216 residents became ill and 30 died, and Mackenzie Place  in Newmarket when 80 of the home's 90 residents were infected and 15 residents died.

All three have kept case numbers low during the second wave.