CEO

Dear colleagues,

First of all, I want to say how proud I am of Yee Hong employees for an exceptionally high vaccination rate. 97% of Yee Hong staff are fully vaccinated, and many teams and workplaces are at 100%. It’s one of the highest rates I know of, and all your efforts to keep yourself, our colleagues and our residents safe is what has contributed to our excellent track record. Compassion, teamwork, and dedication is what sets Yee Hong apart.

Rising case counts and the much more infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 are greatly concerning. Vaccines are essential for protecting and reducing the effects of the virus on our seniors, our colleagues and transmission in the community.

Other long-term care homes and organizations in care delivery environments are adopting mandatory vaccine policies in an effort to reduce the risk of outbreaks. At present, Yee Hong is seriously considering the adoption of mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for all staff.

Some of our colleagues are not yet vaccinated. We hope to understand their specific situations and concerns and to connect them with answers and alternatives as quickly as possible. Managers will be reaching out to each unvaccinated employee this coming week to discuss their vaccine status.

I know that we all share a commitment to reducing the risk of outbreaks, illness and deaths in our homes and amongst our clients, family members and friends in the community. I hope that everyone will seriously consider getting the vaccine. I will write again soon with another update on our decision regarding mandatory vaccination.

Warm Regards,

Dr. San Ng, PhD, MBA, BSc.
CEO

Dear colleagues,

Last week we heard that Ontario will pause its COVID-19 reopening plan and add a vaccine booster shot for long-term care residents. Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is concerned about rising case counts and the Delta variant. I’d like to update you about several points arising from the government’s announcement:

• Yee Hong is prepared for a fourth wave of the pandemic. We must continue with strict infection prevention and control measures and screening carefully for any signs and symptoms of infection. We are proud to share that almost all staff and residents are vaccinated. We test anyone entering our buildings without proof of full vaccination for COVID-19. If you aren’t fully vaccinated, it’s time. Protect yourself, your colleagues and our seniors from serious illness.
• We will be cancelling the 2021 Anniversary and Staff Appreciation event in September. We were so excited to eat and celebrate together at Markham’s Shangri-La Convention Centre, but community spread of the virus makes it unsafe to bring hundreds of us together. Smaller gatherings in each division will be held instead – watch for the details coming soon.
• The government’s temporary pandemic wage enhancement for Personal Support Workers in long-term care and home support services will be extended until Sunday, October 31. Yee Hong will continue to flow this government funding through to employee pay cheques uninterrupted for as long as the provincial program continues.

It feels like uncertain times have returned after a short break for summer. At Yee Hong we’ve shown how resilient we are and our seniors and their families are grateful. We are ready for a fourth wave because we’re vaccinated and we’re vigilant. Our top priority remains your health and safety and that of our seniors.

Although the pandemic isn’t finished with us yet, we know how to keep ourselves and our seniors safe. I’m sad we can’t meet and laugh together in a big group next month but your senior leaders and I are committed to celebrate our excellent teams in other ways. Thank you for the pride you take in your daily work and in your ongoing infection prevention and control practices.

Warm Regards,

Dr. San Ng, PhD, MBA, BSc.
CEO