Since early November, SRCHC has been providing comprehensive case management support to people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 through Michael Garron Hospital and its pop-up testing sites. With surge funding received through Michael Garron Hospital, existing staff were redeployed and two new nurses were hired to support the project. East End CHC and Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Organization/Health Access Thorncliffe Park are also project partners.
The project’s aim is to provide assistance to people who have challenges with the required isolation and quarantine periods due to their social isolation and/or poverty. Case managers provide clinical support and symptom management, as well as coordinate delivery of fresh groceries, offer system navigation and make referrals to other services. Helping people to cope with the anxiety and stigma of a COVID diagnosis is also a big part of the work, as is support around grief and loss.
From November 2, 2020 to January 20, 2021, the project received 250 referrals and supported 1,067 individuals. Each referral has an average of five other family members who are also supported. Many people live in communities, like Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park and Warden Woods, that have been hard-hit by COVID and referrals are closely linked to new and emerging outbreak or hot spot areas. As a result, the case management team works intensively in many neighbourhoods to provide both support and education.