Current outbreaks

Last update: December 27, 2024

When is an outbreak declared in a long-term care or assisted living site?

An outbreak may be declared at the direction of the medical health officer or their official designate. Based on the consideration of multiple risk factors, the severity of illness amongst cases and the rate of increase in cases, a care neighborhood may be placed on outbreak measures under the direction of the medical health officer working with the site leadership, long-term care program and infection prevention and control.

When is an outbreak declared in an acute care site?

Determination and declaration of an outbreak is made by the medical health officer or their official designate (i.e., medical microbiologist in acute care).

An outbreak is declared when there is evidence of increased incidence or transmission of health care-associated cases of an infectious pathogen among admitted patients.

Notifications of outbreaks

Long-term care settings

Following the verification and confirmation of an outbreak in long-term care, the Public Health medical health officer will declare the outbreak and follow up with regular communication to the site. In collaboration with infection prevention and control, guidance on outbreak control measures will be provided.

Acute care settings

Following the verification and confirmation of an outbreak in acute care, infection prevention and control will declare the outbreak and follow up with regular communication to the site and with guidance on outbreak control measures.

Visitors

We ask all visitors to use our hand hygiene stations when they enter and exit our facilities, particularly if there is a reported outbreak.

• If you have any of the following, please do not visit at this time:
  
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Cough or flu-like symptoms
  • Fever
  • Rash
• Hand hygiene stations are located at every entrance/exit in all our facilities. We ask that you use the alcohol-based hand rub so that you do not bring any germs into the hospital or take any home.
• Please read and follow the outbreak notice posters located at the entrance of any unit on an outbreak. If you need help or further information, ask one of the staff at the nursing station.
• In the event of a respiratory illness outbreak, you may be asked to wear a mask while visiting on the unit.
• Information pamphlets are available on the unit and available to all patients and visitors.
• You may be asked to repeat hand hygiene immediately before you enter the patient’s room and when you leave their room.

If you are visiting someone who is located on an outbreak unit, please report to the nursing station as there may be further direction and additional measures in place for visitors. Please do not visit other patient rooms or common areas on the unit such as a lounge or patient kitchenette. We also recommend you do not visit public areas such as a cafeteria or gift shop.