Increased COVID-19 testing in Durham’s shelter system

Whitby, Ontario – The Region of Durham is welcoming provincial direction to increase testing in priority populations, including homeless shelters and warming centres.

Durham Region Health Department is planning to increase testing at shelter locations, as it is important to assess the current COVID-19 status of this vulnerable population.

As the increased testing may result in an increase in active cases and possible declaration of outbreak at one or more shelter settings, it is important to identify positive COVID-19 cases early to help manage and prevent further outbreak.

With the support of Public Health and Paramedic Services, all of Cornerstone’s shelter, transitional and Community Residential Facility clients were voluntarily tested for COVID-19 this week. With their co-operation, they are helping the Region to stay #DurhamStrong and #FlattenTheCurve.

Since the onset of COVID-19 in the community, the Region of Durham has been actively co-ordinating and enhancing supports for unsheltered residents, including:

• Working with community partners to open access to public washroom and shower facilities.
• Made support funding available for not-for-profit organizations providing homelessness supports.
• We expanded the mandate of the overnight warming centres to support the shelter system.
• Working with shelter operators and public health officials to ensure that staff, volunteers and guests are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support clients who have symptoms.
• Secured hotel partnerships to expand capacity of the shelter system to ensure physical distancing, isolation of at-risk clients, and isolation of clients pending test results.

Please visit durham.ca/EmergencyShelters to learn more about the options available for those who require assistance. Information about emergency supports for unsheltered residents is updated daily online through The Gap Committee.

Individuals who wish to access these services are also advised that these support agencies are following the advice of the Region’s Health Department, to help prevent the spread of illness. This includes practising proper hand hygiene and social distancing; coughing or sneezing into one’s sleeve or a tissue; active screening by staff at entrances; and increasing cleaning and disinfecting measures.

Durham Region residents should follow trusted sources of information to stay informed. For a full list of impacts to Regional programs and services, visit durham.ca/ServiceChanges. Get the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Durham Region at durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus.

Quotes

“The increased testing in congregate settings such as shelters and warming centres will help us more effectively identify and contain cases among at risk groups. Increased identification of cases is an important step in ensuring that we address the needs of our vulnerable populations to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in these community settings.”

- Dr. Robert Kyle, Medical Officer of Health

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, our staff and community partners moved quickly and diligently to put in place necessary precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Region’s homeless shelters and warming centres. By increasing the testing and surveillance of this vulnerable population, we can ensure that those who have COVID-19 are identified, isolated and cared for to prevent the spread. Although an increase in surveillance usually results in an increase in active cases, being aware of these cases allows us to address the situation as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

- Stella Danos-Papaconstantinou, Commissioner of Social Services

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