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The Windsor Regional Hospital is reporting an outbreak affecting at least two patients, a change coming as the hospital amends its policy to allow more essential caregivers.
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In a statement Sunday, officials said that a visitor to the hospital’s Ouellette Campus had removed their mask while visiting a patient. The individual later tested positive for COVID-19 and passed the infection to two patients in the same room.
The hospital has declared an outbreak for the 8 East floor at the Ouellette campus.
Visitors are required to keep their masks and eye protection on at all times while visiting the hospital, officials said, as well as wear a face shield. Face shields will be provided to caregivers upon entry to the hospital or unit.
“All essential caregivers must wear a medical-grade mask and eye protection at all times and in all areas of the hospital,” officials said in a statement. “If essential caregivers do not have one they will be provided with a medical-grade mask at the entrance. Cloth masks by themselves will not be allowed.”
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The hospital also announced an amendment to its caregiver policy starting Monday, allowing for a rotation of four caregivers to visit patients who are in the hospital at the Met and Ouellette campuses, doubling the number in place since Feb. 7 while also extending visitor hours.
Those four caregivers, chosen by the patient, will be allowed to visit one at a time, within allowed visitor hours.
For palliative patients, the hospital will allow eight caregivers to rotate over the patient’s stay, 24 hours per day, with a maximum of two individuals at a time. For dying, end of life patients, or have a planned withdrawal of life support, eight caregivers will be permitted with four individuals at a time, though some limits may apply given space restrictions.
Visiting hours are 8 am to 8 pm, except in critical care units. For critical care units, visiting hours are 10 am to 6 pm and 8 pm to 10 pm
Caregivers coming into the hospital, or those coming with patients for out-patient procedures, will still be required to provide either proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days of the visit.