The Pines Resident & Family Portal

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area Respiratory Outbreak has been declared over as of August 4, 2026.

Thank you to all staff, residents, families, caregivers, and volunteers for your patience, cooperation, and commitment throughout the outbreak period. Your efforts helped protect the health and well-being of everyone in our home.

As we return to normal operations, please continue to be diligent with Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) practices, including:

• Performing proper hand hygiene frequently.
• Wearing a mask when required.
• Following all posted IPAC guidance and precautions.
• Refraining from visiting or coming to work if you are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of illness.

Thank you again for your ongoing dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our residents and team members.

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, two (2) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, two (2) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, two (2) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, three (3) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, three (3) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, five (5) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)(External link)(External link)(External link)or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, five (5) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)(External link)(External link)or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, five (5) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)(External link)or ext. 4752

In collaboration with Public Health, the Birch Home Area declared a Respiratory Outbreak on July 20th, 2026. Currently, six (6) residents remain symptomatic, experiencing coughing, congestion, and/or a runny nose and are continuing isolation. Families have been notified, and test results are pending from Public Health.

Infection Control Measures

• Surgical Masks to be worn on Birch Home Area
• Follow the 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene
• Assist residents with hand hygiene before meals and throughout the day
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly: put on before entering and remove before exiting isolation rooms
• Birch Residents must remain in their home area
• If they insist on leaving, assist with a mask or visor and encourage outdoor visits
• IPAC Surveillance Screener EVERY SHIFT on Birch
• Immediate isolation for any new symptoms
• Cohort staff when possible;
• Cohort residents; small-group activities only for unaffected residents; isolated residents receive 1:1 activities
• Twice-daily high‑touch cleaning with 1‑minute dwell time
• Increased hand hygiene and PPE audits with coaching
• No General Visitors to Birch Home Area; maximum 2 essential caregivers at a time

Please ensure all IPAC practices are followed to protect residents, staff, essential caregivers, and visitors.

We will continue to provide updates as needed.

Please reach out to Stephanie Albert, IPAC Lead, if you have any questions. stephanie.albert@muskoka.on.ca (External link)or ext. 4752