COVID-19 UPDATES

We are committed to continuing to do everything possible to protect the health and safety of our residents, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Staff immunization rate is 100%

Chaplain immunization rate is 100%

Resident immunization rate is 96%

Essential Caregivers immunization rate is 89%

We continue to follow Directives, Guidelines and recommendations issued by the Government of Ontario and Public Health authorities, and revise our policies and procedures as government guidance is amended.

 
Please see our most recent visiting policy below. 

• A surgical mask must be worn at ALL times.
• Please follow all IPAC protocols.

Thank you very much for your continued support and cooperation. Stay healthy and safe!

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization classified COVID-19 as a global pandemic. 

This was the first time that a pandemic had been caused by a coronavirus and represented the most significant health challenge that the world has confronted in many decades.  Tragically, in Ontario, long-term care homes and seniors’ residences were hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused disproportionately high infections and mortality amongst their residents.

In 2021, given the ongoing devastating impacts of COVID-19 and the availability of vaccines to protect individuals against the virus, the provincial government mandated that all Ontario long-term care homes and other high-risk settings implement COVID-19 vaccination policies requiring all staff members, students and volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In accordance with directives from the provincial government, and in response to the dire outcomes for residents caused by COVID-19, Ivan Franko Homes (“IFH”) made a decision as an organization to implement a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (the “Policy”).  The Policy required that all staff, students and volunteers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to applicable medical exemptions, in order to work in our long-term care home and seniors’ residence.  In March 2022, the provincial government removed mandatory vaccination policies for long-term care homes, and instead left the decision to individual homes.  The vast majority of long-term care home operators, including IFH, opted to keep their COVID-19 vaccination requirements in place throughout their organizations for the safety and well-being of their residents and staff. 

With the passage of time, long-term care homes, seniors’ residences and other residential care providers have seen a high vaccine uptake among residents and the availability of safe and effective antivirals that are reducing the risk of severe outcomes to residents.  This has led to the province easing its COVID-19 measures in long-term care homes and other residential care settings in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health.  At this time, the provincial government is encouraging long-term care homes and other residential care settings which have retained COVID-19 vaccination requirements to revisit their policies and consider allowing qualified staff to work in their homes, regardless of their vaccination status.

IFH continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of its residents and staff, while also seeking to have its operations reflect the new reality and trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Therefore, after careful consideration of all of the relevant factors, IFH has made a decision to adjust its COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.  

Effective May 15, 2023, staff, volunteers and students may work at IFH’s long-term care home and seniors’ residence regardless of their vaccination status.  However, IFH will continue to strongly encourage staff, students and volunteers, as well as our residents and their visitors to be 

up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, 

absent a medical exemption. 

We thank you for your continued support in keeping our residents protected. Well-being and safety are of the utmost importance, therefore Ivan Franko Homes’ Administration and staff are glad to be of help in ensuring that residents stay safe, protected, and satisfied. 

 Thank you very much for your continued support, thoughtfulness and cooperation!