COVID-19 Highest Risk Settings
The Province has put in place public health measures and guidance for highest risk settings in response to COVID-19 and in particular, the Omicron variant.
Highest risk settings are:
- Hospitals and health care settings, including:
- complex continuing care facilities and acute care facilities
- home and community care workers
- congregate living settings with medically and socially vulnerable individuals, including:
- long-term care homes
- retirement homes
- First Nation elder care lodges
- group homes
- shelters
- hospices
- correctional institutions
- Provincial Demonstration Schools
- hospital schools
Please be aware of the following documents:
- COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge [PDF] | Ministry of Health
- COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge Management of Critical Staffing Shortages in Highest Risk Settings [PDF] | Ministry of Health
- HPPH Memo on Workplace High Risk Contacts and Work Self-Isolation [PDF] | December 31, 2021
- Facility letter for high-risk staff contacts identified at your facility template [Word] | HPPH, December 31, 2021
Up-to-date provincial guidance for the health sector is available here.
You may also wish to visit Ontario.ca/exposed.
Highest risk settings self-isolation
I am an employee at a highest risk setting. I have been identified as a high-risk contact, when can I return to work? |
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I am an employee at a highest risk setting. I have COVID-19, when can I return to work? |
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I am an employee at a highest risk setting and I have questions about work self-isolation. |
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Assistance re: symptomatic staff and/or patients/residents
After hours, if you need assistance re: symptomatic staff and/or patients/residents, please:
- Refer to the provincial guidance document COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge
- Isolate patients/residents who are COVID-19 positive (either on a PCR or RAT) and/or experiencing symptoms. Anyone who would be considered a high-risk contact must also isolate.
- Send a copy of the "Facility letter for high-risk staff contacts identified at your facility" to staff who you have identified as high-risk contacts
- Contact Huron Perth Public Health to report COVID-19 positive staff and/or patients/residents by emailing facilities@hpph.ca. HPPH staff are monitoring this account and will follow up as soon as they are able. We are experiencing a significant volume of inquiries; there may be a delay of up to 24-48 hours in our response. By isolating and monitoring high-risk contacts you are mitigating potential spread; continue to follow COVID-19 guidance for your setting.
A reminder that work self-isolation may be considered where staffing is at a critical level for your organization. It is up to the facility to determine the need for work self-isolation, whether the staff person is eligible for work self-isolation, and any testing required. Again, please refer to the above listed documents for more information.
Reporting and on-call service
NOTE: If there is an urgent situation, the on-call service is available to triage requests. A resident who tests positive on a rapid test or PCR is to be reported immediately.
Please ensure sure you have reviewed the above listed guidance materials before contacting on-call. In general, risk assessments of staff do not require health unit consultation and are not considered urgent.
To reach the on-call service:
- If you are a Huron resident or a facility in Huron County, call 519-482-7077
- If you are a Perth resident or a facility in Perth County call 1-800-431-2054