Message from CEO Carey Lucki on COVID-19

Please note that all of our clients will be receiving a copy of this letter by mail in the coming days.

Dear Clients and Caregivers/Family Members,

Many of you may already be aware of COVID-19 and the spread of this virus globally. At this time, the government of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada but this could change rapidly. There is an increased risk for Canadians:

• Aged 65 years and over
• With compromised immune systems
• With underlying medical conditions.

In an effort to control the spread of any illness and to reduce or prevent the risk of exposure to/or transmission of infections diseases, we ask that you adhere to the following recommendations:

• Wash your hands often: Please remember that the best defense to protect yourself against the flu/COVID-19 is washing your hands often, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, avoid touching your face, and notifying your doctor or calling TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
• Screening for respiratory illness: Please be advised that at every single in-home visit, we will ask if you or someone that lives with you, is experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as new shortness of breath, fever or cough, as well as if you’ve been asked to self-isolate as a result of being in contact with someone that had flu-like symptoms.

What to do if you or someone that lives with you starts experiencing flu-like symptoms (new shortness of breath, fever or cough):

• Please call our office at 416-635-2860 to speak with one of our Client Services Representatives (or the best person to contact related to the service that you are receiving). In addition, you should also contact your physician or primary care provider.
• If you or someone that lives with you has been asked to self-isolate due to the flu or COVID-19, please call our office at 416-635-2860 extension 363 as soon as possible.

Circle of Care is taking proactive steps to keep our clients and our employees safe when care is delivered in your home or in the community. We have established a COVID-19 Prevention Working Group that meets regularly to discuss our response and address any potential issues. Please be assured that we have been keeping our employees informed about infection prevention and making necessary plans to keep everyone safe:

• All our employees and volunteers have been asked to exercise additional vigilance when it comes to their own health and that of others. Individuals feeling ill or experiencing symptoms of the cold or flu are expected to stay home and, if necessary, seek medical attention.
• All our employees and volunteers are regularly educated on the importance of hand hygiene, to cough/sneeze “in your sleeve” as a best practice to prevent the spread of virus/germs, and how to properly use personal protective equipment. We have asked all employees to refrain from hand-shaking, hugging, and kissing.
• Clients and family members should ask our employees and volunteers if they’ve washed their hands during all visits.
• We have put temporary policies in place to stop all business-related travel as well as additional precautions for personal travel.

Possible Service Cancellations:

Circle of Care is working closely with its partners such as Toronto Public Health, Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health to ensure that we are keeping everyone safe during this COVID-19 and flu-season. As new information becomes available, we may need to make difficult decisions to cancel some of our services in an effort to keep all clients and staff safe and healthy. We will keep you informed and let you know of any changes should they arise.

As always, Circle of Care continues to keep the best interest of our clients, families, and staff in mind, and is committed to ensuring that the best care is delivered in the safest way. Please know that we are monitoring the situation very closely, and that we receive updates from Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health daily.

For the most up to date information on COVID-19, please refer to the Ministry of Health website.

Please contact your Service Coordinator or Program Representative if you have any questions related to this information.

Sincerely,

Carey Lucki
Chief Executive Officer