As you may have seen in the press, the Fairview Nursing Home, a private long-term care home in Little Portugal, has been dealing with a significant COVID-19 outbreak that has affected residents, many staff and has resulted in the death of 3 people.
I want to share my condolences with the families and friends of those who lost loved ones, and my concerns for the residents and staff still affected.
I have been in touch the management of the home, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and SEIU, the union representing the workers there. The ministry, Toronto Public Health and the University Health Network are also providing support. From all reports, the situation seems to be stabilizing and may have hit its peak, but this outbreak has also driven up the case reporting data in this part of our community.
This outbreak also underscores the continued threat posed to our vulnerable seniors by this virus, and by a failure of the provincial government to prepare for this second wave. The case was raised by me and by the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Legislature this morning, and we continue to call for major changes to both the way we are dealing with this pandemic, and the way our long-term care serves the people it is meant to.
Watch the video of my statement on Fairview and on needed supports for essential caregivers here: