The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) implemented enhanced visitor restrictions on March 18, 2020 in response to the developing COVID-19 pandemic.
Hospital officials say no visitors will be permitted to the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites with a few exceptions.
“CKHA is further reducing visiting exceptions and thanks its patients, visitors and families for their understanding during this unprecedented time,” hospital officials said in a press release.
“CKHA is further reducing visiting to ensure a safe and secure environment for patients and staff. Only labouring mothers, paediatric patients, or patients who are end-of-life may have one consistent visitor throughout their stay; however, no visitors will be permitted in the Intensive Care Unit(s). These decisions have been made in consultation with the Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health.”
CKHA’s exceptions include one consistent visitor for the following patients only:
– Labouring mothers
– Paediatrics and Level 2 Nursery
– Patients who are imminently dying; but, if these patients are in the Intensive Care Units, no visitation will be permitted
– Patients undergoing life-threatening surgery. Those undergoing surgery for other reasons such as fractures, will not be permitted a visitor.
– Emergency department only for those exceptions noted above: paediatrics, patients who are imminently dying or those who will undergo a life-threatening surgery.
“Visitors will continue to be actively screened into the hospital,” CKHA officials said.
“Any designated and permitted visitors must continue to be actively screened into these settings. Screening questions include asking visitors about their symptoms, recent travel history outside of Canada, and close contact with a case of COVID-19 or close contact with a person with acute respiratory distress who has recently travelled outside of Canada.”
Hospital officials added: “Those who fail screening will not be permitted to enter, regardless of the patient’s condition. No other visitors will be permitted to enter these premises.”
Other visitors are asked to keep in touch with loved ones by phone or other technologies as available, CKHA officials said.
“All visitors must be over the age of 18, designated by a patient in one of the units named above, must be non-symptomatic and are required to check in at the main entrance at the Chatham Site and Emergency Department (ED) at the Wallaceburg Site where they will undergo screening,” CKHA officials said.
“Visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for visitors designated by patients. Visiting outside of those hours will be by exception approved by the care team and those visitors will be required to enter through the Emergency Department at both sites in off hours.”
Public entrances continue to be limited to the main entrance at the Chatham Site, and the Emergency Department (ED) at the Wallaceburg Site, hospital officials said.
“The ED entrance at the Chatham Site is for emergency patients only. CKHA advises the public to not come to the hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Details, here.
For a list of local cancellations, postponement and further updates, click here.
