Erie Shores Healthcare is welcoming back designated caregivers and essential visitors.
As of Friday morning, the Leamington hospital is allowing one designated caregiver to visit inpatients. Both have to have tested negative for COVID-19. The caregiver can be identified by the patient. The hospital will also allow a designated caregiver for COVID-19 negative patients in the emergency department.
Patients in palliative or end-of-life care may have an unlimited number of visitors, but only two at a time will be allowed to visit the patient.
The restrictions were put in place at the end of December 2021, as Windsor-Essex hospitals dealt with a significant increase in cases of the Omicron variant.
All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, provide proof of double vaccination with at least two weeks since their second dose, and undergo a COVID-19 test at the hospital. Visitors with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 will not be allowed in the hospital.
Exceptions to the visitor policy include those for a woman in labour, a parent or guardian visiting an ill or injured child, and caregivers for a patient with dementia or cognitive impairment, subject to management approval.
Essential caregivers must wear a hospital-grade mask and eye protection at all times. Those who come without a hospital-grade mask will be offered one at the hospital entrance. While in with a patient, a face shield must also be worn.
Family members of a patient who can not have visitors can expect to be contacted by a patient-family liaison to set up a virtual visit.
Complete information on ESHC's current visitor policy can be found on the hospital's official website.
