December 22, 2020| December 22 [PDF]
re: Ongwanada COVID-19 Procedures

Dear Ongwanada family members,

The Premier of Ontario has recently announced a full lockdown of the province effective December 26, 2020.  As a result, Ongwanada’s day program and hydrotherapy program will close on December 24, 2020.

For the health and well-being of all of the individuals we support, many of whom are medically fragile, and for our staff, we strongly advise family members against visiting their loved ones.  We understand this isn’t easy, especially during the holiday season but trust that you can appreciate why we are advising in this manner.

In keeping with direction and advice from Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, Public Health, if there is an absolute need for a visit for the wellbeing of the individuals we support, we will work to accommodate a maximum of two family members or essential visitors.  These two individuals must be consistent for each and all visits. Visitors will need to be identified in advance of the visit, and arrangements for the visit will need to be made with the respective residential home supervisor. In order to accommodate everyone, visits will be limited to a maximum of one hour.

Visitors will be required to wear full PPE, will not be able to use the washrooms in the homes, and cannot take the supported individual off the property.

If a supported individual is taken off the property, they will be subject to a fourteen-day quarantine period upon return, if isolation capacity exists.  If isolation capacity does not exist, families will be required to accommodate their loved ones until isolation space is available.

We know COVID-19 spreads quickly in congregate living settings, and it is for this reason, we are trying to limit the exposure of all residents and staff to the virus.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Together, we will get through this.

Sincerely,

Alastair Lamb
CEO