Only Designated Visitors are permitted to enter Norfolk General Hospital due to a rise in COVID-19 cases locally
Friday, April 8, 2022 – We are dealing with the 6th wave of COVID-19 in Haldimand-Norfolk. There has been a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among our population.
To protect the safety of staff, physicians, patients, clients, visitors, and our vulnerable health care system, NGH has made the difficult decision to implement further visitor restrictions at the hospital. Unfortunately, this means that general visitors will not be allowed in the hospital at this time. To ensure patients have the support they need, the hospital will allow each patient to designate up to four visitors; however, patients can only have one visitor at their bedside at a time.
We understand that this can be difficult news for those with loved ones in the hospital. Changing visitor restrictions allows us to protect everyone in the hospital, including patients with compromised immune systems, while balancing the importance of patients having visitors with them.
Effective Friday, April 8, 2022, NO VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED to enter our hospital. Only designated visitors will be permitted entry.
All patients and designated visitors must enter the Robinson Street Public Screening Entrance or the Emergency Department Entrance.
Please note that designated visitors are required to have a COVID-19 Rapid test performed, with a negative result at the hospital, before being permitted to visit. Rapid testing must be done at the Robinson Street Public Screening Entrance before 7 p.m. Rapid testing can not be performed at our Emergency Department Entrance at this time.
Please note:
- ONE designated visitor will be permitted at a time (some exceptions may apply)
- FOUR visitors can be designated and are not interchangeable
- All patients and designated visitors will continue to be screened upon entry. Symptomatic or COVID exposed/positive visitors (regardless of vaccination status) are not permitted to visit.
- All designated visitors entering our hospital are required to have a COVID-19 Rapid test performed, with a negative result at the hospital, before being permitted through to visit.
- All designated visitors must sign an Attestation form that indicates that you will be compliant with the hospital’s guidelines
- Masks are required for everyone in the hospital. When you come to a hospital for an appointment or to visit a loved one, you will be required to wear a mask that you will receive during the screening process and keep it on for the duration of the visit
- Physical distancing must be maintained.
- No eating or drinking is permitted by the visitor while visiting.
- Frequent hand cleaning is required.
- Outbreak situations may cause further reduction in visitor access
Our priority continues to be providing as many urgent and emergency services as possible for our patients and clients while keeping our staff, physicians, and communities safe.
We continue to be challenged by this pandemic, and we know that after two years we are all tired. Thank you for continuing to support one another in the face of these added pressures.
