Six people have died from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a strain of pneumonia with symptoms of fever and severe headache, muscle aches and pains.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care reports there are approximately 124 cases of SARS in the province. All hospitals in Ontario are restricting visitors and screening patients. While the ministry directed long-term care homes in the Greater Toronto Area to take precautions, OMNI decided to extend provisions to all of its homes.

“Basically we’re taking a proactive approach as opposed to a reactive approach,” says Candace Yeo, operations for OMNI.

“We want to make sure our residents and staff (members) are safe in case it does spread to our region.” A nurse who works at Peterborough Regional Health Centre and is also employed at a Scarborough hospital affected by SARS was sent back to Toronto, Candace says. “It just shows how easy it can come into our region.

“We don’t want to take any chances.” By responding early, OMNI has been able to inform staff and residents’ families about SARS and will provide regular updates “so there is no panic from the unknown.”

OMNI is limiting visitors, re-routing deliveries and halting activities and entertainment for residents. It has also sent home its nurses who work in hospital or community nursing settings. In hospitals, there’s a higher rate of acquiring SARS. The problem is, says Candace, the incubation period before there are symptoms can be 10 days. That’s why OMNI is turning away nurses from outside working environments for 14 days following exposure to the possibly-contaminated settings.

The move has left homes slightly short-staffed, with Peterborough region’s Riverview Manor, Pleasant Meadow Manor and Springdale Country Manor sharing resources, says Candace. “Everybody’s pulling together.”

Homes are also stocking up on supplies like gloves and masks. All doors at Riverview Manor have been closed except for the service entrance, where deliveries and staff are directed.

Upon entering the building, the charge nurse or director of care screens staff members to determine if they have experienced SARS symptoms or have been in a hospital within the past 10 days.

OMNI is providing staff, visitors and delivery people with a mask and instructing them to use the alcohol rinse. Staff is also enforcing frequent handwashing.

Candace says it’s too early to predict the duration of the restrictions. A conference call with the Ministry of Health is scheduled for Friday afternoon.