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Erie Shores HealthCare is temporarily banning visitors amid another spike in COVID-19 cases.
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“This action is being taken with extreme caution for the safety of both patients and staff,” the hospital said in a press release. “This was not an easy decision and ESHC can appreciate that this will cause anxiety and stress for our patients and their loved ones. However, it was necessary as COVID cases increased in Ontario. As you know, ease of propagation, increased transmission rates and increased positive rates for testing are putting unprecedented pressure on capacity within the system. “
The hospital said its no-visit policy, which goes into effect Thursday at 12:01 am, will have “only limited exceptions.”
A patient who is “actively dying” will be allowed only one visit from one person. A woman in labor will be allowed a support person, as will someone with dementia or other cognitive impairments. A parent or guardian will be allowed to visit a sick newborn, child, or youth.
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Outside of those circumstances, Leamington Hospital said it will support other “family presence” options, such as its Virtual Visitation Program.
Erie Shores HealthCare is taking precautions a step further than Windsor Regional Hospital, which no longer allows visits for COVID-19 patients.
Windsor Regional Hospital began restricting visits for patients with confirmed or suspected active COVID-19 cases at 12:01 a.m. Monday. There are exceptions for children infected with the virus and COVID-19 patients in hospice without aerosol-generating procedures.
In-person visits can resume after a patient’s COVID-19 case has been resolved. Until then, Windsor Regional Hospital said it will also support virtual tours through technology, including iPads.
Reference-windsorstar.com