There has been a detectable increase in COVID-19 activity to varying degrees across the province especially in recent weeks. Locally, GRH & SMGH have begun to see the rise in cases.
GRH and SMGH, along with our regional hospital partners in Ontario Health West, have continued to monitor this data closely in order to inform measures to keep people safe within our hospitals. In response to increased COVID-19 activity, GRH and SMGH will implement the following changes, effective Wednesday, September 27, in alignment with our system partners until further notice.
Team Members & Volunteers
- Masking is required for team members and volunteers during all direct inpatient and outpatient encounters on entering a room AND when two metres of distancing cannot be maintained.
- Masks are not required in non-clinical spaces (e.g., nursing stations, hallways, offices, meeting rooms) but continue to be available for anyone who prefers to wear one.
Patients & Visitors:
- To support our team and for the safety of our patients, we strongly encourage visitors to wear a mask in clinical areas, especially while at the bedside.
- While masks are not mandatory, we continue to make these readily available for anyone coming to SMGH or GRH
- We continue to support our patients in asking their care team to mask up if they prefer.
- Visitors who are experiencing respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms are reminded to stay home and connect with Patient Experience who can assist in facilitating virtual visits.
We can all do our part to stop the spread of illness, and masking is just one tool in our toolkit. Please get your flu vaccine, COVID boosters and always remember to wash your hands often.