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COVID-19 Information

Baycrest is committed to communicating with you about COVID-19. The health and safety of residents, families, visitors, private companions, staff and volunteers is of paramount priority. This page contains the most up-to-date information from Baycrest.

For a list of any declared outbreaks on campus please Click Here.
 
To book your COVID-19 vaccination or for more information, please visit the Government of Ontario's vaccination site here or call 1-833-943-3900.

Measures in Place

Visitor Restrictions for Residents and Patients

COVID-19

Latest Updates

Based upon the recent trends, projections and advice of the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ministry has ended enhanced masking measures. In line with this guidance, Baycrest is making the following changes to its masking policy, effective Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Masking is now optional for healthcare workers, visitors and caregivers in all areas of the Baycrest campus, including the clinical units, as well as common and public areas. Visitors and caregivers are recommended, but no longer required, to wear a mask indoors when visiting units not in outbreak. If a resident or patient requests that a healthcare worker wear a mask when providing care, staff members will accommodate such a request.

Please note that masking (fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator) remains mandatory for healthcare workers, visitors and caregivers when within 2 metres of residents or patients in a COVID-19 outbreak area.

Please note that Baycrest is a mask-friendly environment. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is encouraged and supported to do so. Masking may be required in certain situations, for example when a unit is on outbreak or when requested by the care team. Baycrest will continue to provide medical-grade masks and hand sanitizer at all entrances.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a member of your care team.

 

Measures in Place

If you have ANY of the following new or worsening symptoms or signs, it is imperative that you stay home:

    • Fever or chills
    • Cough or barking cough (croup)
    • Shortness of breath
    • Sore throat
    • Runny or stuffy/congested nose
    • Decreased or loss of taste or smell
    • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Headache
    • Muscle aches/joint pain

    Anyone on the Baycrest campus with these symptoms will be asked to leave immediately.

    If you are worried that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 please call the Toronto Public Health hotline at 416-338-7600. Information is available in multiple languages.

For everyone’s safety, the following measures remain in place:

  • All visitors must ensure they are not experiencing any symptom of COVID-19 before entering Baycrest.
  • Visitors may not eat or drink at the bedside.
  • During a COVID-19 outbreak, visitor restrictions may be in place and will be communicated accordingly.
  • Visitors under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the visit


Paid Private Companions 
Please note that Baycrest Hospital allows the same level of patient access for general visitors and paid private companions. Paid private companions are no longer required to formally register with Baycrest Hospital unless the patient, the patient’s power of attorney or their secondary decision maker, requests that the paid private companion have extended access with the patient. This request will need to be reviewed and approved by the care team.
 

Leaves of Absence for Hospital Patients

  • Requests for personal absences to a private setting will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Absences for essential, medical or compassionate reasons are permitted.
  • The patient, the patient’s power of attorney or the patient’s substitute decision maker, can speak with a member of the care team for further information about a leave of absence request. All leaves must be approved by the patient’s care team.

Changes to COVID-19 testing 

In line with ministry guidance, rapid antigen testing is no longer required for visitors and caregivers who do not have any symptoms of COVID-19.
 
Changes to COVID-19 screening

In line with our healthcare system partners, effective April 1, 2023, visitors will no longer need to complete the Baycrest self-screening app, and there will no longer be an active screening requirement at the Apotex entrance. With this change, we remind everyone that it remains imperative that anyone experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 does not enter Baycrest.
 

Visitor Policy Details
In line with guidance from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, there is no limit on the number of visitors and caregivers who may visit a resident at a time.

Please note that staff may ask individuals to step outside residents’ rooms when they enter to perform certain care duties.

All individuals are strongly encouraged to avoid situations where COVID-19 can spread more easily, such as crowded places with many people nearby (for example, busy times in the W.A. Café), close-contact settings and confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

Essential Visitors
Residents who are approved to have essential visitors have no daily maximum on visitors. Two people may visit at the same time and may switch out with two other visitors during the day.

COVID-19 Vaccination
Visitors who are five years of age and older must be able to provide proof that they have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or will not be permitted, unless they have a valid medical exemption identified in their Enhanced Vaccination Certificate.


Apotex Visitation Policy

Caregivers for Apotex Residents

A caregiver is a type of visitor who is designated by the resident and/or their SDM to provide direct care to the resident. Caregivers can be family members, privately hired caregivers or paid companions and must be at least 16 years old. 

To register a caregiver, please contact your social worker and provide them with the following information.

  • Your name
  • Are you an SDM or resident?
  • Resident’s floor and neighbourhood (if known)
  • If you are not the resident, name of the resident for whom you are designating a caregiver:
  • Name of the caregiver(s)
  • Contact information of the caregiver(s)
    • Phone number
    • Email address
    • Home address

Additional Caregiver information
    • Caregivers must participate in an online infection prevention and control (IPAC) training module, and follow all safety measures in place.
    • A resident and/or their substitute decision-maker may change a designation in response to a change in the:
      • Resident’s care needs that are reflected in the plan of care.
      • Availability of a designated caregiver, either temporary (e.g., illness) or permanent.
      • A caregiver will be absent for greater than 14 days.
      • Changes will take five business days to process.

Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Caregivers

  • All new caregivers must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status in order to complete their registration.
  • All Apotex registered caregivers must provide proof of having at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine during screening at the start of every visit, unless they have a valid medical exemption.

Leaves of Absence for Apotex Residents

  • All residents will be permitted to leave for social day and overnight absences, regardless of vaccination status.
  • All residents may continue to leave the home for essential, medical or compassionate absences.
  • All residents are required to sign out of their unit when they leave and to sign back in upon their return. Testing and isolation measures will be followed, as per Ministry guidelines.

Caregivers and Paid Private Companions in Baycrest Terraces

Cargivers and paid private companions must be registered with us to have access to our campus. A caregiver is a type of visitor who is designated by the resident and/or their SDM to provide direct care to the resident (e.g., supporting feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation, communication, meaningful connection, relational continuity and assistance in decision-making). Caregivers are not paid for their care. To register caregivers or private companions, please contact your social worker. Subsequent information will be provided following the initial email.