Our values, vision, and mission together with your well-being and the well-being of people who use our services continue to be our top priority during the current pandemic.
This week, look for the following updates:
- COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist
- The COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist has been updated for the week of May 27th – June 2nd.
- The Hand Sanitizer Recall List (on the U:\\ drive) was updated (May. 19th, 2021), please confirm the removal of recalled sanitizers from all locations.
There are no resource updates this week, however MCCSS has released direction on visitors for direct support locations in Ontario. With the changing public health guidelines in Ontario MCCSS has stated that all direct support locations will be under enhanced precautions. A detailed list of how this impacts direct support locations can be found in the COVID-19 Current Activity Restrictions. The key points for visiting include:
Essential Visitors (definition within the current activity restrictions document)
- Do not need to schedule an outdoor (or indoor) visit.
- Must pass active screening for COVID-19.
- Must wear surgical/procedure masks and eye protection at all times.
Non-essential visitors:
- Must schedule an outdoor visit.
- Must pass active screening for COVID-19.
- Must wear surgical/procedure masks and eye protection at all times.
- Must maintain physical distance at all times (2 meters/6 feet).
- Must not enter the congregate living setting during visits.
- Visits must be supervised by a staff person.
RAPID TESTING FOR COVID-19
Christian Horizons is working to introduce rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 at our direct support locations throughout Ontario and Saskatchewan as another precaution to ensure a safe work and support environment. A rapid antigen test for COVID-19 is a self administered nares swab (not a deep nasal swab), with observation from a trained user, that produces results within 15 minutes. If someone were to test positive for COVID-19 with a rapid antigen test a confirmation test from a COVID-19 testing location would need to be completed afterwards.
Rapid antigen tests are only completed on people who are asymptomatic. If someone were to present and during screening state they have symptoms of COVID-19 a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from a testing location would need to be completed to confirm if a COVID-19 infection is present or not.
The completion of a rapid antigen test does not replace the need for current infection prevention and control practices but adds another layer of protection for employees and the people who use our services.
This week we have been working with our Ministry partners in Ontario and Saskatchewan to outline the training requirements for employees to complete rapid testing. We have also identified a number of pilot locations across all districts to begin rapid antigen testing in the coming weeks.
COVID-19 VACCINE WEBINARS
There is no webinar this week, to view previously recorded webinars please click here
COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
The Women’s College Research Institute is asking for direct support professionals to complete a short survey with regards to COVID-19 vaccines. Additional information is available below, your responses to the survey questions remain anonymous.
All direct support professionals are being invited to complete a brief survey to help us better understand your perspectives and experience. You may have completed a survey in January similar to this one. We are looking to understand what has or has not changed over time, so we are asking all members to complete this brief survey once again.
This survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. All those who complete the survey have the option to enter a draw for one of 5 gift cards for $150.
Click here to access the consent information and the brief survey: https://dfcmutorontoca.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6nY5zAkrX64dslE
The survey is anonymous and voluntary. You will be asked some questions about you so we can understand whether age, role, ethnicity, or other factors are associated with people’s COVID-19 beliefs and experiences. Data from the survey will only be shared in aggregate, and will not identify individuals in any way.
Thank you for your continued work and dedication, your commitment and tenacity to provide the best service and supports is exceptional!
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Questions or suggestions about any of the resources listed on the site?
Send us an email to let us know: covid-19@christian-horizons.org