New restrictions at hospitals as Simcoe Muskoka moves to red zone on Monday
Hospitals in the region are changing their visitor policies in the wake of the red zone status that Simcoe Muskoka will find itself in as of 12:01 a.m. on Monday due to rising COVID-19 cases.
Many hospitals will be returning to visitor policies they had at the beginning of the pandemic in March.
As of Monday, Dec. 14 at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, the number of visitors is being limited. Patients will be permitted one visitor, once a week, for one hour during specific, pre-booked times.
Dr. Kevin Smith, CEO and President of University Health Network, which includes three Toronto hospitals (Toronto General/Toronto Western/Princess Margaret), sent a tweet that healthcare workers can’t sustain these demands and stresses, and he called for a wider lockdown.
Truly wish I didn’t have to send this message but…. time to lockdown from Oshawa to Niagara, north to Barrie and west to London. HCWs can’t sustain these demands and stresses.
— Dr. Kevin Smith (@KevinSmithUHN) December 11, 2020
Hospitals in Alliston, Collingwood, Orillia and Muskoka have also returned to visitor policies that are more restrictive and similar to what was in place in the spring.
There is wiggle room at some facilities for obstetrics and palliative care, but you should check with the hospital.
RVH – Barrie – https://www.rvh.on.ca/geninfo/SitePages/vicovid.aspx
Stevenson Memorial Hospital – Alliston – http://www.stevensonhospital.ca/
Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital – Orillia – Visiting a Patient
Collingwood General and Marine Hospital – https://cgmh.on.ca/
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare – https://www.mahc.ca/en/index.aspx
Georgian Bay General Hospital – Midland – COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions