October 28th, 2020

Ford must deliver funding to support Vermont Square, facing one of Ontario's worst outbreaks: NDP

TORONTO — The NDP MPP for University—Rosedale, Jessica Bell, asked Doug Ford why his government isn't helping to fix testing delays, understaffing and an aging HVAC system at Vermont Square, a long-term care home in her riding currently experiencing one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the province.

University Health Network is supporting Vermont Square, where about 62 residents and 47 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 to date, and eight residents have tragically died, but staff at the hospital say provincial funding has been promised but not delivered to help it provide support to long-term care homes like Vermont Square.

“Vermont Square staff and family members say testing delays are making it hard to stay on top of the outbreak, and they're worried about the need for more staff and an aging HVAC system,” Bell said. “A family caregiver tells me he's afraid for his mother, whose roommate has tested for positive for COVID-19, but who won't be moved out of the room until she receives her own delayed test results.”

“The Ford government had no good plan for the second wave of COVID-19 and didn’t do enough to protect long-term care homes from an inevitable second wave. Homes have been left unprepared, with more vulnerable seniors losing their lives.

“It is very upsetting that a long-term care home with one of Ontario’s worst COVID-19 outbreaks is waiting so long for test results. Doug Ford must deliver the funding needed to expedite test results, hire more staff in long-term care homes across the province and support homes to limit the spread of COVID-19.”