COVID-19 Image Credit: CDC

COVID-19 Image Credit: CDC

UPDATED: Visitor restrictions in place at Island Health facilities in response to pandemic

Effective immediately, no visitor who is unwell may visit any Island Health facility

  • Mar. 16, 2020 12:00 a.m.

Island Health is limiting the number of visitors entering its facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One adult caregiver or support person is allowed per day at the following: hospital emergency departments, critical care areas, perinatal units, inpatient areas — along with the additional precautions in place — primary and urgent care area and outpatient clinics.

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Two adult caregivers or support persons are allowed per day in inpatient pediatric and adult areas — along with routine precautions in place — neonatal ICUs and long term care homes.

For palliative and end of life patients, Island Health will accommodate patient and family needs while consulting with Infection Prevention and Control.

Long-term care homes are limited to essential visits only.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Canada to close borders to outsiders, except North Americans, trade to slow spread of COVID-19

Effective immediately, no visitor who is unwell — with any of these symptoms: fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, a sore throat and diarrhea — may visit any Island Health facilities.

Further, anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has been in contact with a person infected with the virus, must not visit patients or residents in any Island Health facility or long-term care facility.

Patient navigators have been put in place at entrances of all facilities to ensure visitors are aware of the restrictions.


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Nanaimo News Bulletin