New COVID outbreaks more than doubled in Ontario LTC homes since last weekly report

New COVID-19 outbreaks more than doubled in Ontario long-term care homes in the first week of July, Public Health Ontario says, as the sector sees the impact of a seventh virus wave.

The latest weekly report on the virus in Ontario said there were 42 new outbreaks recorded in the sector during the week of July 3 to July 9. That's an increase of 110 per cent from the previous week's 20 new reported outbreaks.

Public Health Ontario said there was a total of 97 active outbreaks as of the week of July 3 and the Ministry of Long-Term Care said that had risen to 101 homes experiencing outbreaks as of Thursday this week.

The ministry said there were 757 active cases among residents and 383 cases among staff.

A spokesman for the Long-Term Care Ministry said homes are expected to follow practices that include support for updated vaccinations, timely access to antiviral treatments, visitor screening and use of personal protective equipment.

"Health and safety measures remain in place to help homes when COVID-19 outbreaks occur," Mark Nesbitt said in an email.

Infection prevention and control audits are completed every week when homes are in outbreak, the statement said, and every other week if homes aren't in outbreak. Other temporary measures like visitor limits may be brought in during outbreaks.

Nesbitt also pointed to the benefits of vaccination in protecting residents. More than 96 per cent of eligible long-term care residents had received third COVID-19 vaccine doses as of July 12, Nesbitt said, and more than 80 per cent of those eligible had received fourth doses.

By the same date, more than 88 per cent of eligible staff had received third doses, the statement said.

Ontario widened access to fourth doses to all adults this week, and Nesbitt said homes are encouraged to "share information" about the expansion with staff caregivers and family members.

The latest long-term care statistics come as the province weathers a summer wave of infections driven by the BA.5 Omicron subvariant.

Dr. Kieran Moore, the province's chief medical officer of health, said Wednesday that the wave could peak in the next two weeks, though it's difficult to predict trends because the province has limited access to gold-standard PCR tests.

This week's public health COVID-19 update said outbreaks in high-risk settings rose 87 per cent overall since the last report. Increases were reported in all congregate living settings except correctional facilities.

In addition to the 42 new outbreaks in long-term care homes, there were 39 outbreaks reported in retirement homes over the July 3 to 9 period and 28 outbreaks reported in hospitals. Shelters reported 10 new outbreaks and group homes saw 25.