The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Comprehensive testing of long-term care staff returned negative results for all Yee Hong staff. No employees working in any Yee Hong Centre have the virus. The provincial government has ordered COVID testing twice in June, at the beginning of the month and at the end of the month, for everyone working in long-term care.

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COVID-19 has been detected in an employee of the Markham Centre. Incomplete results are available for other staff at the long-term care home and no other positive tests have been identified at this time. The employee shows no symptoms and is isolated at home to prevent spread to others. All the best-practice infection control measures are already in place throughout the Markham Centre. The affected employee is being retested to confirm their status.

These cases were identified during comprehensive testing of all staff for the government’s preventive screening program in Ontario long-term care homes. Staff were swabbed on Friday, June 12 by a LHIN test team. More detailed information will be posted to this website once we receive the complete set of results.

On June 11 the government announced family visitors would be welcome again at Ontario long-term care homes after June 18, 2020. We’re excited to bring families back together at Yee Hong after so many months apart.

At this time the government’s visitor ban remains in place. Yee Hong is reviewing the Ontario visitor guidelines which will be subject to strict health and safety protocols. The government prepared this guide Resuming Visits in Long-Term Care Homes. Please review Page 4 for “Visitor Requirements.”

We’ve been anticipating this change and we’ll be cautious and prudent as resident safety is our top priority. As a first step we’re developing a “fresh air” strategy to bring our residents outside and back to their units, maintaining physical distance while we give everyone a turn to enjoy the outdoors.

Once our residents are outdoors we’ll find safe and fun strategies to re-introduce family members at all 4 Yee Hong Centres.

Yee Hong will move carefully and keep the focus on safety for our residents and staff. Continue to watch our website for details as they become available.

Family members may drop off care packages and clothing for their loved ones starting Monday, June 22.

Yee Hong staff will be assigned to clean and disinfect your special items before delivery to resident floors. Clothing will be laundered in our facility. Place your items in a clear package so we can see what it is. Add a label with the resident’s name, room number, a list of the contents, your contact information and the date you dropped it off.

• Yes please: Summer clothing, reading, gifts, photos and mementos.
• No thanks: Please don’t send food, drinks or valuables.

We cannot be responsible for any damage that occurs due to cleaning and disinfection.

To avoid crowding when our staff come and go during shift changes, this service is available Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm. Park out front in a space reserved for visitors, enter at the front door, and drop your package with the staff person at the screening desk. We do not have staff available to safely receive your packages on the weekend.

As part of the North York Toronto COVID-19 Community Responsive Team, a Yee Hong health professional is available for the tenants at Seneca Tower, a Seniors Housing at 1700 Finch Ave, E. to deal with health and self-isolation issues related to the COVID-19 situation.

The health professional can refer the tenants to primary care physicians and community services via phone, virtual or in-person supports. This is an additional resource to help the tenants at Seneca Tower to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 and to address the secondary health effects of self-isolation and social distancing.

To connect with the health professional at Seneca Tower, please call: 416-940- 4817.

During this unprecedented time, food access can become a challenge for older adults and seniors. Those living with limited mobility and/or a chronic illness such as dementia, limited technology access to order food, and who live alone are particularly vulnerable. To better support these individuals, Yee Hong has partnered with Sam Woo BBQ to deliver hot meals free of delivery fees to adults and seniors living in the community. This service is currently offered at Seneca Towers, Villa Elegance, and Yee Hong Garden Terrace and is generously supported by the Central East Local Health Integration Network’s Ontario Dementia Strategy.