With cases of the Omicron variant continuing to rise, the Windsor Regional Hospital has decided to make additional changes to its visitor policy.
Starting Monday, December 27, patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 will no longer be allowed to have visitors at Windsor Regional Hospital.
That’s for the Met Campus, Ouellette Campus, and the Regional Cancer Centre.
Instead, the hospital will be offering virtual visits for patients and they will be supported using technology such as iPads. A virtual appointment can be made by visiting their website.
There are limited exceptions where the hospital will allow visitors for patients who are palliative with no aerosol-generating medical procedures, and parents or guardians of a child with confirmed or suspected COVID 19.
Hospital officials said in-person visits may continue once again after the hospital has confirmed that a patient’s COVID-19 status has been resolved, in accordance with their overall visitor policy.
"We recognize the impact of isolation for patients and families during this difficult time. We appreciate your understanding while we work to keep protecting our community," the hospital said in a release. "The decision comes as cases of both the Delta and Omicron variants are rising across Ontario, including locally, and amid recent government, guidance recommending fit-tested N95 respirator use for all staff caring for cases in light of Omicron’s increased transmissibility."