Ottawa Hospital off limits to visitors starting Saturday
Area hospitals making some exceptions on compassionate grounds
Starting Saturday, the Ottawa Hospital will no longer allow most visitors to its General and Civic campuses.
In a statement, the hospital said the measure is needed to protect patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There will be some exceptions granted on compassionate grounds, the hospital said.
"We would make exceptions for patients who are dying. We want to ensure there could be a loved one there with them," said Dr. Virginia Roth, the Ottawa Hospital's chief of staff.
Women who are in the hospital to give birth will be allowed to have a partner present and parents will be allowed to visit babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, Roth said.
Visitors who are granted an exception will need to have their names approved by hospital care teams and added to a list that will be checked at one of the hospital's main entrances.
They will also be screen for possible symptoms of COVID-19 and staff will ask if they have recently travelled abroad.
CHEO
Earlier this week CHEO, adjusted its visitor rules to ban siblings of children in the hospital's care. Only one person — a parent, guardian or family representative — will be allowed to accompany sick kids to the emergency department, clinic or outpatient areas.
Once a patient is admitted, parents are not considered visitors, but part of the "care team," according to CHEO.
Montfort, QCH, Winchester
The Montfort Hospital also has a no-visitor policy going into effect Friday.
If your partner is giving birth, you may still visit. Other exception will be made for compassionate reasons, the hospital said.
It's a similar story at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. In a statement, the hospital said "one primary care partner will be permitted where clinically required."
And there are similar restrictions at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital, where obstetrics patients may bring one support person with them. The hospital invites virtual visiting through its website.
