The provincial government will conduct an independent commission to examine Ontario's long-term care system, and its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Almost three-quarters of all COVID-19 related deaths in the province have been in seniors' facilities, including 10 of the 19 deaths in Sarnia-Lambton.
The Minister of Long-Term Care Dr. Merrilee Fullerton said the commission would begin its investigation in September.
“We have been clear the long-term care system is broken,” said Fullerton. “The commission will get down to work and provide us with guidance on how to improve the long-term care system and better protect residents and staff from any future outbreaks. Our government offers our condolences to the families who lost a loved one to COVID-19 while residing in a long-term care home. Ontarians need and deserve answers, and let me assure you, they will get them."
Lambton Public Health is currently monitoring three institutional outbreaks in Sarnia at Vision Nursing Home, Marshall Gowland Manor and at Village on the St.Clair.
A total of six local long-term care/retirement homes have had outbreaks of the novel coronavirus declared since the pandemic started. Three have since ended.
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade agrees the long-term care system needs to be examined but that's not their focus right now.
"Right now I think we're very focused on doing what we can to control these different outbreaks, working with these operators," said Ranade. "But recognizing that this is an issue that needs some examination and I think that announcement will probably be welcomed by some people but recognizing that it may not give immediate comfort to the people who are facing this situation right now."
Specific details about the commission, including terms of reference and leadership, are expected to be finalized within the coming months.