May 25, 2020
Dear Neighbours,
I want to thank everyone for your efforts during this very difficult time. It is very important for all of us, to the best of our ability to follow the mandatory physical distancing bylaw – details here:
Guildwood Extendicare
COVID-19 outbreak at Guildwood Extendicare. Since the outbreak was declared at this facility, Toronto Public Health (TPH) assigned an investigator to work with the home to provide guidance and recommendations on outbreak control measures, in accordance with provincial guidelines. These measures include, but are not limited to:
o Posting outbreak notification signs at the entrance and on outbreak affected units
o Ensuring droplet contact precautions in place, meaning staff wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when providing direct care residents
o Testing all residents and staff on outbreak affected floors /units, including staff and residents not displaying symptoms (asymptomatic), in accordance with the provincial directive on COVID 19 testing
o Ensuring COVID-19 positive residents are isolated with COVID-19 positive residents on the affected outbreak floors/units
o Conducting daily screening of staff (twice a day)
o Restricting admissions, readmissions and visitations (some exceptions for essential visitors)
o Increased surveillance and enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection
o Physical distancing measures are in place, and the cancellation of all communal activities
Toronto Public Health is also investigate all outbreak associated positive cases of COVID-19 and close contacts, and provide the facility with COVID-19 test swabs. With respect to testing at this facility, please note that universal/mass testing of all residents and staff has been conducted twice (April 23, 2020 and May 15, 2020).
To further assist with bringing this outbreak under control, local health care partners including the Scarborough Health Network (SHN) and the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) have joined TPH in supporting this facility. Specifically, the SHN has conducted infection prevention and control (IPAC) online and onsite training with all staff; and performed an IPAC assessment, an environmental assessment and a health and safety assessment. The LHIN is providing staffing support at this facility, and as of May 21, 2020, Public Health Ontario also conducted an additional IPAC assessment.
Toronto Public Health will continue to support this long-term care home through the outbreak and remains engaged with local health care partners who are also involved. These are extraordinary times and we appreciate the desire for more information. Please be assured our focus is managing this pandemic and supporting our healthcare partners in managing institutional outbreaks, especially because this affects our most City’s vulnerable – our parents, grand-parents and loved ones. This is why we also continue to remind people to stay home to protect our essential workers so that they can continue to protect us and our loved ones.
If you require further information please contact your Provincial Member of Parliament for further updates. Mitzie Hunter MPP mhunter.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
City of Toronto ActiveTO cycling network plan proposes 40 kilometres of expanded and accelerated routes
Today, Mayor John Tory announced that a City of Toronto staff report scheduled for consideration by City Council later this week proposes that key parts of the cycling network be expanded, through accelerated installation of routes in the council-approved Cycling Network Plan, as part of the ActiveTO program.
During the April 30 Toronto City Council meeting, staff were requested to look at more active transportation as a crucial part of the city’s COVID-19 restart and recovery and in anticipation of changes in traffic patterns. For more information please read this news release:
Full Closure of Markham Road at Hwy 401
Please be advised that as part of the Ministry of Transportation’s ongoing construction project, Markham Road Northbound and Southbound will be fully closed at Highway 401 from May 30, 2020 at 10:00PM to May 31, 2020 at 10AM for Markham Road Bridge deck removal.
During the full closure, Markham Road Southbound traffic planning to access Highway 401 Eastbound Collectors will be detoured to Markham Road Northbound on-ramp via Progress Avenue-Detour 25.
During the full closure, Markham Road Northbound traffic planning to access Highway 401 Westbound Collectors will be detoured to Markham Road Southbound on-ramp via Progress Avenue- Detour 24.
Please see this map: for more details.
Toronto Zoo Scenic Drive-Thru Now Open!
This weekend, the Toronto Zoo officially opened to public the new Scenic Drive-Thru experience. With a sell-out crowd of over 700 cars expected on its first day of full operations, a number of VIPs were on hand to officially open and welcome the eager Zoo guests. The new Scenic Safari driving route will allow guests to see the Zoo’s animals from the comfort and safety of their own vehicle along a 3.4 kilometres route which takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
Check out http://www.torontozoo.com/scenicsafari/ for details.
Guests must pre-purchase their tickets by booking their drive-thru time online at torontozoo.com. Tickets are currently SOLD OUT. New dates/tickets will be available soon, watch torontozoo.com for updates and ticket information.
Please click here:for a list of food banks and soup kitchens in the Ward 24
Please click here:for a list of food banks in East Scarborough
Please click here: for a list of food banks in Scarborough
Please remember to call ahead to book to ensure they are properly stocked. For those interested in volunteering, food banks are always looking for volunteers, so please feel free to save and share this information.
Our KGO Update
Read up to date information through The East Scarborough Storefront’s crowd-sourced e-newsletter “Our KGO Updates.” Check out their latest issue here:. SUBSCRIBE HERE:
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice, and information about City services and social supports. Check www.toronto.ca/covid-19 for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
You can also reach me by telephone at 416-396-7222 or email me at councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca
All my Best,
Paul