Infectious Diseases and Outbreak Management
COVID-19, respiratory and enteric (or gastroenteritis) outbreaks occur in long-term care homes, retirement homes, schools, childcare centres and other congregate living settings throughout the year. Early detection and timely implementation of outbreak control measures are essential to preventing further transmission and infection to others.
This page contains resources for facilities to use in the management and implementation of control measures for COVID-19, respiratory, and enteric (or gastroenteritis) outbreaks in congregate settings, as well as enteric (or gastroenteritis) outbreaks in school and childcare settings.
For COVID-19 specific resources for school and child care settings, please see the COVID-19 Staying Safe at School page.
Outbreak Reporting Form
As of October 3rd 2022, York Region Public Health will be launching a new electronic reporting form to notify the health unit of COVID-19, Respiratory, and enteric outbreaks and cases to York Region Public Health. Facilities are still welcome to call or email us at the contact details below.
List of Diseases of Public Health Significance
By law, physicians, nurses and other practitioners have a legal obligation to report a suspect or confirmed case of a reportable communicable disease to their local Medical Officer of Health.
Outbreak Management in Facility Settings
An outbreak is an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of an infectious disease above what is normally expected in a specific place or group of people over a period of time. Investigation of outbreaks is necessary to understand, control and prevent the spread of diseases.
Repatriation during and outbreak
- Patient Resident Transitions during Outbreaks Guidance Document
- Acute Care Checklist for Inpatient Repatriation to Long Term Care Homes
Enteric
- Recommendations for the Control of Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes (MOHLTC, March 2018)
- Control Measures Assessment Form for Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homesa>
- Control Measures Assessment Form for Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes
- Enteric Outbreak Control Measures – Information Package for Institutions
- Enteric Outbreak Line Listing - Residents/Patients Data
- Enteric Outbreak Line Listing – Staff Data
- Guidelines to Line Listing
- Outbreak Management Poster
- Outbreak Control Measures Checklist
- Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) Management
- Proper Cleaning and Disinfecting Practices Poster
- Daily Cleaning Checklist for Ill Resident Rooms
Respiratory
- Recommendations for the Control of Respiratory Infection Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes (MOHLTC, November 2018)
- Control Measures Assessment Form for Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes
- Respiratory Outbreak Line Listing - Residents/Patients Data
- Respiratory Outbreak Line Listing - Staff Data
- Guidelines to Line Listing
- Outbreak Management Poster
- Outbreak Management Team (OMT) Agenda
- General Test Requisition Form
- Outbreak Control Measures Checklist
- Influenza Presentation for Health Care Workers - Flu and the Flu Shot
- Influenza Presentation for Health Care Workers - Outbreak Control
- Proper Cleaning and Disinfecting Practices Poster
- Daily Cleaning Checklist for Ill Resident Rooms
Outbreak Resources for Child Care Centres and Schools
Resources for Child Care Centres
- A Public Health Guide for Child Care Providers - Chapter 2
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Schedule
- Managing Symptomatic Individuals and Increased Absenteeism in Child Care Settings
- Proper Cleaning and Disinfecting Practices Poster
- Public Health Requirements for Policies and Procedures in Child Care Centres
- Sensory Play fact sheet
- Outbreak signage (see the section below)
Resources for Schools
- Managing Symptomatic Individuals and Increased Absenteeism in Schools
- Information for Parents to Help Prevent the Spread of Illness fact sheet
- Hand hygiene resources for children on Preventing Infections
Guidelines for Common Childhood Communicable Diseases
This chart lists reportable diseases and non-reportable diseases, with common signs and symptoms. It also outlines how the disease is transmitted, when it is infectious or communicable and if the child must be excluded from a child care centre.
Outbreak Signage
During an outbreak, it is important to post signs notifying staff and visitors that your facility is having an outbreak and what precautions need to be taken to reduce the spread of the illness.
Institutions
- Outbreak and suspected outbreak stop signs
- Additional precautions signs:
- Personal protective equipment poster
- Respiratory etiquette poster (Cover Your Cough and Sneeze)
- Hand sanitizer poster
Child care centres
COVID-19 Resources – Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
Implementing outbreak control measures early to prevent further transmission of the infection to others is essential, thereby reducing the length and impact of an outbreak. These outbreak control measures are evidence-based and/or best practices, in accordance with guidance documents from the Ontario Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee, Public Health Ontario, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
Key Resources
- COVID-19 Facility Outbreak Forms: Line List, Daily Update Form and Death and Hospitalization table
- Test and Requisition Tip Sheet
Ministry of Health Resources
- COVID-19 Guidance: Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes for Public Health Units
- COVID-19 Screening Tool for Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes
- COVID-19 Outbreak Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes
- COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms
- COVID-19 Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance
- Guidance for Mask Use in Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes
- Provincial Orders, Directives, Memorandums and Other Resources
- Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007
- COVID-19 Surveillance Testing – Guidance Regarding Retirement Homes Staff and Resident Testing
- COVID-19 Guidance: Considerations for Rapid Antigen Point of Care Screening
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Ontario
- Retirement Home COVID-19 Visiting Policy
- Ontario Health COVID-19: Long-Term Care Home Surveillance Testing and Access to Homes
- COVID-19 Visiting Long-Term Care Homes
- Screening Signage
- Minister’s Directive: LTCH COVID-19 Immunization policy
Public Health Ontario Resources:
- COVID-19 IPAC Checklist for LTCHs and RHs
- Prevention and Management of COVID-19 in LTCHs and RHs
- Interim Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control of SARS CoV-2 Variants of Concern for Health Care Settings
- COVID-19 LTCH Resource Repository
- Risk Algorithm to Guide PPE Use
- IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19
- COVID-19 IPAC Fundamental Training Module
- Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings
- COVID-19 Fans and Air Conditioning Units
- The Use of Portable Fans and Portable Air Conditioning Units during COVID-19 in Long-term Care and Retirement Homes
- Physical Distancing Fact Sheet
- Putting on full PPE video
- Taking off full PPE video
- Putting on and taking off PPE posters
- Lab Requisition Template
Vaccine Resources:
- York Region Public Health Vaccine Resource Portal
- York Region Public Health Vaccine Fact Sheet
- Public Health Ontario AEFI Information Fact Sheet
- Public Health Ontario AEFI Reporting Form
- Ministry of Health COVID-19 Immunization Resources Portal
York Region Public Health Resources:
- Carpooling Fact Sheet
- York Region Public Health Handwashing Poster
- York Region Public Health Physical Distancing Poster
- York Region Public Health Personal Protective Equipment Donning and Doffing Poster
- York Region Public Health: Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (COVID-19 Droplet/Contact Precautions)
- York Region Public Health: Taking off Personal Protective Equipment (COVID-19 Droplet/Contact Precautions)
- York Region Public Health Outbreak Signage
- York Region Public Health Mindful Health Adult Colouring Pages
- York Region Handwashing instructional video
- York Region PPE: A Guide toProper Use for Long-Term Care Staff video
Additional resources:
COVID-19 Resources - Congregate Settings
Implementing outbreak control measures early to prevent further transmission of the infection to others is essential, thereby reducing the length and impact of a COVID-19 outbreak. These outbreak control measures are evidence-based and/or best practices, in accordance with guidance documents from the Ontario Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee, Public Health Ontario, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
Key Resources:
Ministry of Health Resources:
- COVID-19 Guidance: Congregate Living for Vulnerable Populations
- COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms
- COVID-19 Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance
- COVID-19 worker and employee screening
- Ministry's Face Coverings and Mask Use
- Screening Signage
Public Health Ontario Resources:
- Managing COVID-19 Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings
- COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention in Congregate Living Settings
- Risk Algorithm to Guide PPE Use
- IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19
- COVID-19 IPAC Fundamental Training Module
- Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings
- Cohorting in Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings
- COVID-19 Fans and Air Conditioning Units
- Physical Distancing Fact Sheet
- Putting on full PPE video
- Taking off full PPE video
- Putting on and taking off PPE posters
Vaccine Resources:
- York Region Public Health Vaccine Resource Portal
- York Region Public Health Vaccine Fact Sheet
- Public Health Ontario AEFI Information Fact Sheet
- Public Health Ontario AEFI Reporting Form
- Ministry of Health COVID-19 Immunization Resources Portal
York Region Public Health Resources:
- York Region Hand Hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment Audit Program for Congregate living Settings
- Carpooling Fact Sheet
- York Region Public Health Handwashing Poster
- York Region Public Health Physical Distancing Poster
- York Region Public Health Personal Protective Equipment Donning and Doffing Poster
- York Region Public Health: Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (COVID-19 Droplet/Contact Precautions)
- York Region Public Health: Taking off Personal Protective Equipment (COVID-19 Droplet/Contact Precautions)
- York Region Public Health Self-Assessment Poster
- York Region Public Health Outbreak Signage
- York Region Public Health Mindful Health Adult Colouring Pages
- York Region Handwashing instructional video
- York Region PPE: A Guide to Proper Use for Long-Term Care Staff video
Additional resources:
COVID-19 Outbreaks - Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering PPE supplies
Q: Where can I order PPE supplies from? Can York Region Public Health provide emergency PPE supplies for a facility if they are running low?
A: To order PPE, please visit Personal Protective Equipment and Swab Kit Supply Information for Ontario Health (Central) Community Providers.
York Region Public Health can provide emergency PPE supplies for facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks. Please inform the case investigator working with you and they will order and arrange for the delivery of emergency PPE supplies.
Contact Information
For any of the following issues below, please contact the appropriate team by email, phone or fax during business hours and after hours/on-call.
Control of Infectious Disease
For issues or reports of any Diseases of Public Health Significance, respiratory or enteric cases and potential and ongoing outbreaks related to the facility.
Email: @email
Telephone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 73588
On-call Response Telephone: 905-953-6478
Fax number: 905-898-5213
COVID-19 Institutional Outbreak Team
For issues or reports of any COVID-specific cases and potential and ongoing outbreaks related to the facility.
Email address: @email
Telephone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 73796
On-call Response Telephone: 905-953-6478
Fax number: 905-762-2119
York Region Public Health Vaccine Information Line
For issues or reports of any adverse events following immunization or general questions regarding vaccinations (all vaccinations, including COVID and Influenza). This information line is open to the public.
Email address: @email
Telephone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 73452
York Region COVID-19 Vaccination Coordinator
For any requests related to COVID-19 vaccine clinic scheduling, picking up COVID-19 vaccines, and strategies to improve vaccine uptake in facility. This inbox is exclusively dedicated to responding to facility requests.
Email address: @email
Health Connection
For any requests related to inspections, IPAC or audits.
Email address: @email
Telephone: 1-800-361-5653