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Important updates on Ontario's response to COVID-19
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Member Update:
COVID-19 Situation- September 29th
Dear ,

As the voice of Ontario's RPNs, we are committed to engaging with government to share perspectives and ideas from our members to improve patient, resident and client care. Last week, WeRPN was invited to share our recommendations with the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission to ensure Ontario is better equipped to protect LTC residents during the second wave of COVID-19. Read our submission.

Key Provincial Updates and Resources for Health Professionals
Today, Ontario government announced it is investing close to $540 million to protect residents, caregivers, and staff in long-term care homes from future surges and waves of COVID-19. This investment includes:
  • $405 million to help homes with operating pressures related to COVID-19, including infection prevention and containment measures, staffing supports, and purchasing additional supplies and PPE;
  • $61.4 million for minor capital repairs and renovations in homes to improve infection prevention and control
  • $40 million to support homes that have been impacted by the changes in occupancy numbers due to COVID-19.
  • $30 million to allow long-term care homes to hire more infection prevention and control staffing, including $20 million for additional personnel and $10 million to fund training for new and existing staff.
  • $2.8 million to extend the High Wage Transition Fund to ensure that gaps in long-term care staffing can continue to be addressed during the pandemic;
  • Provide all long-term care homes with access to up to eight weeks of supply of PPE so they are prepared in case of outbreaks.

Yesterday, the Ontario government announced an investment of $52.5 million to recruit, retain, and support over 3,700 additional frontline health care workers and caregivers to prepare for anticipated surges in health system demand during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investment is broken down as follows:
  • $26.3 million for personal support workers (PSWs) and supportive care workers will be used to continue training PSWs in the home and community care, and long-term care sectors, as well as to recruit and retain recent graduates to work in these sectors. A $5,000 incentive will be provided to 2,000 recent graduates for a six-month commitment to work in the aforementioned settings. Funding will also support training for supportive care workers to provide basic home support services, as well as accelerated PSW training for students with prior health experience.
  • $26 million for nurses will be used to support Ontario’s Nursing Graduate Guarantee program, with a focus on recruiting in areas of need such as long-term care homes and acute care settings. Funding will also support the addition of more nurses to the health system in areas of need.
  • $200,000 to improve the Ontario Matching Portal, which will enable employers to be more quickly matched with front line health workers that meet their needs.
  • Expanding training, tools, and resources available to frontline workers across the social services sector.

Last week, the government announced tightened public health restrictions, particularly for bars, restaurants, and clubs, in response to the recent rise in cases of COVID-19. The tightened restrictions apply province-wide.

For more information, we encourage you to visit the Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario website.

Key Federal Updates
Today, the government announced it has signed an agreement with Abbott Rapid Diagnostics ULC to purchase up to 7.9 million ID NOW rapid point-of-care tests, pending Health Canada authorization of the tests.

Following the end of CERB this past weekend, the government is moving forward quickly with the Bill to put in place new economic supports for Canadians.

For more information, we encourage you to visit the Government of Canada website.


Daily Reports
As of 10:30AM today, Ontario reported 51,085 confirmed cases (increase of 554),
43,450 resolved cases, 2,844 deaths and 54,759 currently under investigation with lab results pending.

The Ministry is also reporting that 137 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19, 30 are in ICU and 16 are vented.
To view these additional details: click here

Click Here to read the latest Ministry of Health Daily Report
**Please note, these reports are intended for health professionals only and we request that you not share this with the public.

World Health Organization Situation Reports are also available here

In the News
For an interactive map tracking all cases across Canada and internationally, click here

Below are some key stories from today that may be of interest to our members:



Urgent Jobs During COVID-19
RPNs seeking opportunities to support COVID efforts can find postings on the following sites:

We encourage RPNs looking for employment opportunities to sign up on all the platforms noted above.

We will continue to monitor this situation and keep you updated as more information becomes available. Thank you for the important work that you're doing and the sacrifices you're making to keep Ontarians safe. We appreciate everything that you're doing each and every day.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tiff Blair at tblair@werpn.com

Sincerely,

WeRPN Team


 
 
WeRPN
5025 Orbitor Drive
Building 5, Suite 200
Mississauga, Ontario
L4W 4Y5

905.602.4664
info@werpn.com



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