New visitor restrictions in place at Peterborough Hospitals, Lindsay – Peterborough | The Canadian News

New visitor restrictions and measures are now in effect Thursday at Peterborough and Lindsay Hospitals to provide additional protection amid the COVID-19 pandemic and rising cases, including the Omicron variant, in the region.

At Peterborough Regional Health Center, the following changes will take effect:

• A limited number of designated essential caregivers will be allowed only for specific patient groups. A designated essential caregiver is anyone who provides support to a person with limited capacity, urgent medical condition, age-related problems, disability, or chronic health problems.
• In most cases, only one designated caregiver will be allowed in a patient’s room at a time. Designated caregivers must be registered in the patient’s name.
• Visiting hours for designated essential caregivers will continue from noon to 8 p.m. M., Subject to additional restrictions indicated in PRHC website.

“These people are considered essential when their presence is considered beneficial for the evaluation, diagnosis and care of the physical and / or mental health of the patient,” the hospital said.

This phase of the hospital’s temporary visitation policy will remain in effect until further notice. All current COVID-19 protocols remain in effect.

The hospital also encourages individuals to use its Virtual Visitation program to support continued family presence while helping to keep patients, staff, and the community safe. Visit the PRHC website for more details about the program and how to book.

As of Wednesday, the hospital reported five COVID-19 patient admissions.

Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay has implemented a number of changes for visitors, including:

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• Each admitted patient is now allowed only two designated visitors in total for the duration of their hospitalization, and only one can visit each day. Exceptions apply for end-of-life, critically ill, childbirth and vulnerable patients.
• All visitors must be vaccinated twice, except visitors who are under specific exceptions and who will be required to undergo a rapid antigen test upon admission to the hospital.
• The emergency department is experiencing a high volume of patients. To avoid long wait times, the public is urged to use the emergency department for emergencies only and to seek alternative options for non-emergency care. Visit this site for a list of options.

The hospital also reminds the public not to visit the emergency department to get tested for COVID-19 or to obtain test results for COVID-19. Assessment center information it can be found online. Test results can be accessed through the provincial portal.

Ross Memorial Hospital also does not have rapid COVID-19 antigen tests and does not currently conduct vaccination clinics. Visit the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit website for details on vaccination clinics.

People are also advised to leave only a message if they are trying to book an appointment at the hospital.

“Patience and understanding are required as our team goes to great lengths to clarify messages and confirm appointments,” the hospital stated. “Depending on the volume of calls, it may take a day or two for calls to be returned.”

As of Wednesday, the hospital reported that there was a patient hospitalized with COVID-19.

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