Article content
Kingston Health Sciences Centre is keeping all COVID-19 restrictions in place for at least the next few weeks, despite an easing of the restrictions effective Tuesday throughout Ontario.
Some of the restrictions at Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital include mandatory proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, limited family presence for hospital visitors, COVID-19 screening for both staff and patients, masking and appropriate personal protective equipment must still be worn by staff, and physical distancing requirements for everyone are still in place.
Article content
“Patients and families will continue to access our two hospital sites through the main entrance and must continue to register upon entry,” a KHSC news release stated. “Staff should continue to access the hospital through the two staff entrances and answer screening questions upon arrival.”
“We know that this cautious approach does not align with quicker reopening plans in other community settings, but as a hospital, it is important for people to understand that we cannot revise or remove restrictions as quickly as the community,” KHSC president and CEO Dr. David Pichora said in a statement.
“Our mission to care for the sick and vulnerable means we must carefully monitor the impact of reopening on COVID-19 prevalence, outbreaks and hospital capacity in order to determine what and when changes to our COVID-19 policies can occur.”
KHSC’s decision to keep its current COVID-19 policies in place is largely consistent in approach with many acute care hospitals in the province, the release said.
KHSC also continues to experience very high numbers of staff who are unable to work due to testing positive for COVID-19 themselves or having a positive family member at home.
“COVID-19 is still with us, and the emergence of the Omicron variant reminded us that the virus can evolve quickly,” Dr. Gerald Evans, head of infectious diseases at KHSC, said. “We must continue to practise extreme caution against COVID-19 within our hospital walls and be ready to respond as we transition to the next phase of the pandemic.
“Our first priority will always be the safety of our patients, families, visitors, staff and volunteers.”
Kingston Health Sciences Centre keeps COVID-19 restrictions in place - The Kingston Whig-Standard
Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment