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St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake (SJGHEL) is actively monitoring the situation with COVID-19 and is taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff, hospital CEO Pierre Ozolins stated in a press release this morning.
“A team has developed a COVID-19 preparedness plan based on the directions and recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care,” he said. “If you have a fever and/or onset of cough or difficulty breathing, you are feeling unwell, do not visit loved ones in the hospital or St. Joseph’s Manor. Stay home and self-isolate. Limit social contacts.”
The hospital is taking measures to prevent transmission of the virus including:
- Enhanced screening of all patients and visitors who present to the hospital and St. Joseph’s Manor to quickly identify those who have signs and symptoms of infection or possible exposure to COVID-19.
- All outpatients prior to their scheduled appointment, test or other procedure, will be contacted by telephone to be pre-screened and further instructions will be provided.
- As an additional precautionary measure, our visiting hours have been restricted to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the exception of compassionate circumstances for palliative patients.
What you need to know to help keep you and your family healthy:
- If you have a fever and/or onset of cough or difficulty breathing, you are feeling unwell, do not visit loved ones in the hospital or St. Joseph’s Manor. Stay home and self-isolate.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue and dispose of tissue immediately and wash your hands.
- Keep surfaces clean and disinfected.
SJGHEL will provide updates as more information comes available.
More information on COVID-19 can be found on our website, Algoma Public Health website, or contact your health care provider.