Outbreaks

Under the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act, outbreaks of respiratory and enteric infections in institutions are reportable to the local Medical Officer of Health on the same day as the outbreak is suspected or confirmed.

When an outbreak is reported to the Health Unit, a Public Health Nurse (for respiratory outbreaks) or a Public Health Inspector (for enteric outbreaks) offers to assist staff at the facility in their efforts to prevent the spread of the illness.

Please note effective June 1, 2022, Renfrew County and District Health Unit Outbreak Team will be resuming regular business hours Monday – Friday 08:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

During Regular business hours:

For urgent outbreak matters: please call 613-602-5966. Please leave a message with name, contact number and reason for call and the assigned Case Investigator will return your call.

For non-urgent outbreak matters, please email outbreak@rcdhu.com.

• If you are reporting a single case in a highest risk setting, please complete the Case Reporting Form.
• If you are reporting a new outbreak in a highest risk setting, please complete the Initial Respiratory Outbreak Notification Form.

Forms can be emailed to outbreak@rcdhu.com (password-protected) or faxed to 613-735-3067.

After Hours

Please contact the on-call manager at 613-735-9926.

COVID-19 Outbreak Supporting Documents

• Case Reporting Form
• Initial Respiratory Outbreak Notification Form
• Initial Checklist for Outbreak Management
• Respiratory Outbreak Line List – Resident/Patient
• Respiratory Outbreak Line List – Staff

Respiratory Outbreak Forms

• Respiratory Outbreak Line List
• Respiratory Outbreak Line List – Resident
• Respiratory Outbreak Line List – Staff
• RCDHU Line List FAQ
• Initial respiratory outbreak notification form
• Initial Checklist for Outbreak Management – Congregate Living Settings

Everyone has the potential to come into contact with microscopic germs during interactions with people and the environment. Congregate living homes have common characteristics that include shared living spaces such as washrooms and sleeping areas as well as communal food preparation. These common areas combined with varying levels of health needs, weakened immune systems, close quarters or inability to maintain hygienic practices may influence resident and safe wellbeing.

Link: How to Wash Your Hands/How to Sanitize Your Hands 

Link: Removing PPE  – Comment enlever l’équipement de protection individuelle

Link: Putting on PPE    – comment mettre l’équipement de protection individuelle

Link: Self-isolation: Guide for Caregivers, Household Members and Close Contacts 

Link: Steps to Put on and Remove a Face Mask

Link: Proper Use of Disposable Gloves Poster

Public Health Ontario: Putting on Full PPE, Removing Full PPE Video

Public Health Ontario: COVID-19 Cohorting in Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings

It is important to keep congregate living settings clean to stop the spread of illness. Cleaning is the physical removal of dirt and germs from a surface by wiping or scrubbing, while disinfection kills germs using a chemical solution.

Tips to Remember:

Not all products are equal: some are cleaners, some are disinfectants, and some can be used for both. Review the label and ingredients to figure out what your product can be used for. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for product use (e.g., how long it must stay wet on a surface, mixing, and safety instructions). High-touch surfaces include doorknobs, activities and horizontal surfaces, such as table tops, are where bacteria and microorganisms are prone to settling. These surfaces require frequent cleaning and disinfection.

Link: Cleaning and Disinfecting in Public Settings 

Public Health Ontario: Chlorine Dilution Calculator 

Health Canada: Hard-Surface Disinfectants and Hand Sanitizers (COVID-19) 

Health Canada: Medical Devices for Use Against Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Link: 2019 Signs English, Visitors 
• Link: 2019 Signs French, Visitors
• Link: How to Clean Hands