Outbreak at Hamilton care facility foreshadowed by health inspectors

Just weeks before a COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Evergreen Manor, Hamilton public health inspectors alleged the facility was inadequately prepared" to respond to an outbreak.

That concern was laid out in an April 15 compliance order issued to the residential care facility (RCF) after an inspection just four days prior found that there was no detailed outbreak plan for the home, along with an inadequate supply of and training for personal protective equipment.

According to the order, there was also no staffing plan that would allow the facility to safely operate in the event of absences and not enough supplies for or the capacity to perform cleaning and disinfection in the home.

In the order, obtained by The Spectator, public health states that its inspector had identified that the facility was inadequately prepared to respond to a case of or outbreak of COVID-19."

Evergreen Manor - located on Cathcart Street in the central city - is currently in outbreak protocol with 22 cases being reported since April 29 - at least some are the B.1.1.7 variant. There are 19 residents and three staff cases.

The Spectator reached out to the facility for comment Friday but did not receive a response. Homes can appeal an order by requesting a hearing within 15 days of being served.

In an emailed statement, public health spokesperson James Berry said staff and residents were offered their first vaccine dose on April 24, but it's unclear how many took the offer.

Public health refused to answer questions about how many residents live in the one-storey facility nestled on a residential street. A city report on RCFs in 2011 lists the maximum resident capacity at 22.

Berry noted that managing outbreaks in RCFs can present challenges due to limited" staff, the layouts of facilities with shared bedrooms, bathrooms and dining facilities, as well as supporting the residents" to follow public health directions.

A second order, obtained by The Spectator, suggests those challenges were realized.

In a second compliance order, issued May 5, public health reported - again - concerns about personal protective equipment as well as the facility's ability to isolate sick residents in the midst of an outbreak.

On April 30, just a day after the outbreak was declared, an inspector found there was a lack of a plan for the facility to isolate and cohort residents who were sick, as well as keep residents and staff physically distanced.

During that inspection, public health reported a total of eleven non-critical" infractions including not separating those at a higher risk of complications from COVID-19, not having sleeping arrangements that allow for physical distancing, and failing to ensure washrooms were cleaned and disinfected between uses - particularly after use by someone with the virus.

In a statement to The Spectator, Berry said public health staff also offers guidance for infection prevention and control measures, while working with facilities and community partners to manage outbreaks in congregate settings in the city.

It's critical that community settings, and all Hamiltonians, continue to follow public health guidance and advice to protect community members from the transmission of COVID-19," he said.

Both orders come with a fine of up to $25,000 per day and the potential for further legal action when a corporation fails to comply.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com