On January 19, 2026, Oak Valley Health announced a COVID-19 outbreak in the Transitional Care Unit it operates at Sunrise of Richmond Hill, a retirement home in Richmond Hill. Oak Valley Health said three patients in the unit tested positive after being transferred from Markham Stouffville Hospital as part of its care‑transitions program to help manage high demand during the current respiratory‑illness season.
York Region Public Health is investigating the cluster and says the affected unit has been placed under outbreak control measures. Oak Valley Health and public health officials have suspended non‑essential visits to the unit and implemented enhanced infection‑prevention and control measures, including use of personal protective equipment by staff and other steps to limit spread within the home.
Oak Valley Health operates Markham Stouffville Hospital and partners to run the Transitional Care Unit at Sunrise of Richmond Hill. The transfers were described as part of routine care‑transition pathways intended to free up acute‑care capacity during the busy winter respiratory season. York Region’s respiratory activity dashboard showed “Very High” activity in the region in mid‑January 2026, increasing the risk to congregate settings and vulnerable older adults.
Public health investigators and Oak Valley Health say they are following standard outbreak protocols, including testing, contact tracing and monitoring residents and staff.
