Quinte Health Care is moving into the COVID-19 RED ZONE regarding its Care Partner and Visiting Policy.
On Wednesday, Quinte Health Care released the following statement regarding extra precautions to protect staff, patients and care partners, beginning on Thursday.
QHC statement:
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our communities, across Ontario and throughout Canada, Quinte Health Care (QHC) is enhancing precautions to protect staff, patients and care partners.
Effective Thursday, April 1st, QHC is moving back to PHASE 3 (RED) of its Care Partner and Visiting Policy. Details can be found on the Visiting page of the QHC website – www.qhc.on.ca.
“The COVID-19 variants of concern are highly transmissible and pose a real threat to our vulnerable patients and staff,” said Dr. Colin MacPherson, Quinte Health Care’s Chief of Staff. “By reducing the flow of people throughout our hospitals we are doing what we can to limit the potential for spread.”
QHC’s screeners will also be restricting any care partners from out-of-province or any Red or Lockdown COVID-19 zone in Ontario.
In addition, anyone entering a QHC hospital is now required to wear a medical-grade mask. Masks will be handed out to patients and care partners at entrance screening stations. Cloth masks are no longer permitted. While patients may be required to remove their mask under certain circumstances, all care partners must wear a mask at all times and cannot eat or drink in the hospital.
“We want our hospitals to be as safe as possible so patients feel comfortable coming to receive the medical care they require,” said Stacey Daub, Quinte Health Care’s President and CEO. “No one’s health care concerns should be ignored during the pandemic. Rest assured that our hospitals are safe and please don’t delay seeking the care that you need.”
QHC continues to increase virtual care options, where possible, so that patients can receive care from the comfort of their home in certain situations. Loved ones also have the option of connecting with a QHC patient virtually by requesting a virtual visit through QHC’s website.
“We understand that care partners are essential to healing and it is only in these most pressing circumstances that we are making the difficult decision to reduce contact between patients and their care partners,” said Stacey Daub. “We encourage patients and care partners to stay connected through virtual visits or through their own mobile devices.”