Ottawa Public Health not consulted about ban on window visits at long-term care homes

The medical officer of health in Ottawa claims that no one consulted her before residents of the city were asked to stop visiting loved ones outside their windows at Ottawa’s long-term care homes, according to CTV News.

Dean Lett, the Director of Long-term Care said it was a “difficult decision” to ask residents to avoid visiting loved ones at their windows but it was based on "prioritizing the health and safety of residents and staff."

Dr. Vera Etches, the medical health officer said she hopes the directive will be re-examined by the City.

"Looking through a window is not a threat," she said. "It can be an important source of reassurance for family members on both sides of the glass. Ottawa Public Health was not consulted or advised before the City decided to issue this directive and I'm sure that they're re-examining it."

On Wednesday, Lett said that as the weather became nicer, families were not practicing physical distancing as much.

"We have experienced a number of situations where families have visited and have not respected the requirement for physical distancing as directed through public health agencies," Lett said.

Dr. Etches believes that actions putting long-term care home residents at risk should be avoided, but added that looking through a window is not one of them.

"Saving the lives of the residents is the first priority so I'm sure staff are focused on that," she said. "Looking through a window is not a threat. If there are other activities that are a threat then we need to find ways to decrease that because this is a vulnerable population and we know that, unfortunately, if the virus is introduced by others it can have a terrible impact."

"Not to be able to visit is a real challenge," added Dr. Etches.

She said that new solutions need to be found by public and City health workers.

Lett noted that extra staff and technology are being used in City homes to give family members the opportunity to remotely connect with loved ones.

He stressed that the City has a "responsibility to do everything possible to minimize the risks of COVID-19 from entering the homes and to protect the safety of residents and staff."

Ottawa Public Health has reported three staff members that have tested positive for coronavirus at the Gary J. Armstrong home along with a staff member at the Peter D. Clark home. So far, no residents in the four City-run long-term homes have confirmed cases of the virus but private homes in Ottawa are dealing with serious outbreaks.

In Ottawa, there have been at least 57 coronavirus deaths in the long-term care homes and 5 in local retirement homes.

Councillor Eli El-Chantiry believes the City should reverse the decision.

Councillor Mathieu Fleury was in touch with Lett to speak about the issue on Thursday. He believes that window visits should be allowed but should also be scheduled and accommodated.