Public health officials – both provincial and City of Toronto – distinguished between two different COVID-19 disease processes, during their second modeling press conference on April 20th – the spread through community and the spread of the virus through congregate settings. They claimed, cautiously, that COVID-19 spread in the community has peaked but that spread is growing in congregate settings. The evidence of the virus’ devastating effect on long-term care and retirement homes has been laid out in these reports.

RNAO is listening, anticipating and responding to the needs of the long-term care sector during this unprecedented time. All of the resources described below are available to anyone requiring them in the fight against COVID-19. Our deepest gratitude to the directors of nursing, attending NPs, medical directors, CNSs, RNs, RPNs, PSWs, and other workers in nursing homes and retirement homes, as well as our RNAO staff who are diligently and proactively supporting them, always and especially during the pandemic.