The warning signs around reminding visitors if they've traveled to a country affected by Cove in 19 or feel sick stay away.

Phone lines have been set up for family seeking updates on their loved ones.

That kind of reduces the chaos.

If they can't get in touch with somebody, then people start to panic because they don't know what's happening.

The home is fully stocked with protective gear and medical supplies.

I am reviewing all data that's coming in from Dr Rhonda Collins used the chief medical officer for a national chain of retirement homes.

She says staffing is also critical.

Residents are vulnerable to all kinds of illnesses, but workers are now watching for symptoms of cove in 19 high fever, dry cough and difficulty breathing.

We're now in the pre pandemic mode.

If there's an outbreak in care, homes or lost down plans are in place to boost the number of staff to care for patients.

If we don't have the appropriate staff to engage them in activities, recreational activities, for instance, that means more isolation, more risk of delirium, they're very well experienced.

They've been through pandemics before, doctors say the entire health system has learned a lot from other outbreaks.

When we had SARS, for example, if you're 65 or older and you got that illness, you actually were had a 50% risk of dying.

Compare that to the death rate from this virus.

It's about 8% in those aged 65 to 79 nearly 15% in those over 80.

Still care.

Homes and family should be doing everything they can at this point to protect seniors from screening and hand washing to clue shots.

Preventing illnesses, Saves lives Christine Barack, CBC News, Oakville, Ontario.