The City of Toronto continues to prioritize infection prevention and control measures and access to vaccinations to protect those experiencing homelessness and keep emergency shelters operational during the pandemic.
In light of the evolving threat of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the City’s Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) is working closely with its service providers to ensure all sites are continuing to implement the City’s stringent infection prevention and control measures (IPAC), and with Toronto Public Health (TPH) and the City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to monitor for changing public health advice and develop contingency plans, as needed.
SSHA is working closely in consultation with TPH and other health partners, including the Inner City Health Associates (ICHA), to manage COVID-19 cases in the shelter system, including outbreaks. Information on active outbreaks can be viewed at COVID-19: Active Outbreaks
Each outbreak is discussed closely with staff, service providers and TPH to determine the best course of action and to develop an outbreak management plan for the site. SSHA continues to operate an isolation and recovery centre for individuals who test positive to recover, and capacity remains.
In discussion with TPH, and when recommended, there may be cases where people impacted by COVID-19 isolate on-site. Unique isolation plans will be developed with service providers should this occur to ensure they have the support needed to continue to operate in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines for isolation and outbreaks in congregate living settings. A mobile harm reduction peer support team (known as MOVID) led by Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre and The Neighbourhood Group will also provide support to individuals isolating during an outbreak.
Screening for COVID-19 and ensuring that anyone who tests positive or is considered a high-risk close contact is able to safely isolate remains a priority, with measures that include:
• All shelter clients are screened before intake and clients and staff are screened daily at all sites. On-site testing will be implemented where recommended by TPH.
• Rapid antigen testing at priority sites continues, and all shelter locations are encouraged to register with the Provincial Rapid Antigen Screening Program to access testing kits.
• Additional test kits have been requested for staff use across shelter locations.
• Working closely with TPH and health partners on outbreak management, including, maintaining space in the COVID-19 isolation and recovery program.
The City is working as quickly as possible with healthcare partners and the Province to roll out first, second and third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to people experiencing homelessness and frontline workers through:
• Ongoing mobile and onsite clinics. Inner City Health Associates has activated 10 additional mobile vaccination teams to assist with the vaccination efforts.
• A mobile vaccine peer ambassador program with health partners to address vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates for people experiencing homelessness.
• Promoting access to COVID-19 vaccines through pharmacies, City-run vaccination clinics, pop-up clinics, family doctors, and health and community partners.
Vaccination is mandatory for City staff, and all shelter, 24-hour respite sites and women’s 24-hour drop-ins providers are required to have a policy that requires all persons working at any site be fully vaccinated.
The City is committed to decreasing the risk of outbreaks in the shelter system and continues to ensure physical distancing and IPAC measures meet or exceed Ontario Ministry of Health guidance for congregate settings.
In 2021, to respond to variants of concern, the City made $3 million available to all shelters, 24-hour respites sites and day-time drop-ins to support additional infection prevention and control measures that include:
• Enhanced cleaning protocols and limiting movement between shelters.
• Ongoing quality assurance site visits to confirm compliance with IPAC measures and provide direction for remediation, when needed.
• Investments in initiatives to improve ventilation, such as higher-quality HVAC filters or portable air filters at City-funded shelters, 24-hour respites and drop-ins.
The City has also made an additional investment of $1.5 million to purchase 660 portable HEPA filters for 65 shelters, of which 440 have already been delivered.
SSHA continues to contract with Practice Health Check, external IPAC experts to conduct shelter system sites visits to provide additional guidance and in-person training with onsite staff. More than 2,000 staff were trained over the summer and fall, and this work will continue throughout the winter.
The City is also currently working to strengthen protection for all front-line staff through the acquisition and fit testing of N95 masks.
To ensure service continuity and a high level of support is maintained to help those experiencing homelessness in light of the Omicron variant, the City is also putting contingency plans in place that will allow SSHA to:
• redeploy staff to support essential shelter operations, as needed
• activate additional locations and beds should capacity be lost due to outbreaks this winter
The City is also continuing to open new shelter spaces through its 2021/2022 winter services plan, with 265 new spaces added to the shelter system since October. The City also continues to help those experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing with support to help with the transition. Since the pandemic began until November 2021, more than 7,400 people experiencing homelessness have moved from the shelter system into permanent housing.
For more information regarding Toronto’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the shelter system, visit Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Toronto Shelter System
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“The emergence of the Omicron variant has necessitated increased vigilance. The City continues to monitor for changing public health advice and is prepared to strengthen existing protocols across the shelter system. We have put in place contingencies that will allow us to deploy extra staff if required and we are making every effort to ensure people experiencing homelessness continue to be prioritized and protected.”
Gordon Tanner, General Manager (Acting), Shelter, Support and Housing Administration
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