With concerns about the “rapidly increasing” number of COVID-19 cases in the community, as well as the presence of the highly transmittable Omicron variant, Guelph General Hospital is further tightening visitor restrictions.
Beginning Thursday, only one person can be designated as an essential visitor per patient for throughout their stay at hospital.
The decision was not made lightly, says Melissa Skinner, vice-president of patient services and chief nursing executive, in a news release.
“We know how important family members and loved ones are to the patient experience and to their care journey,” said Skinner. “However, we have to be mindful of the risks associated with this new variant and take extra precautions to ensure our hospital remains as safe as possible.”
The fact that Christmas is right around the corner made the decision even harder, she adds.
“No one wanted to see a return to tighter restrictions, especially just days away from the Christmas holidays,” Skinner said. “However, given the transmission risk of the Omicron variant and the rapid increase in community cases, it’s a necessary step to help ensure the safety of both patients and our staff.”
On Tuesday, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health announced there were 11 new cases in the city, with 265 total active cases. Over the weekend, 137 new cases were reported.
A list of who can be considered an essential visitor can be found on the hospital’s website.
