THUNDER BAY – St. Joseph’s Hospital will pause general visiting as it confronts multiple COVID-19 outbreaks, operator St. Joseph’s Care Group has announced.
Those designated as Essential Visitors will continue to have access, except where specific precautions are in place. The hospital will also make compassionate exceptions for clients at end of life.
Responding to a TBnewswatch inquiry, the hospital said it was in the process of notifying clients and their families of the new rules on Thursday.
There were active COVID-19 outbreaks in the Geriatric Assessment & Rehabilitative Care Program (5 South), Medically Complex Services (2 North), and Palliative and Hospice Care (4 North) areas as of Thursday.
St. Joseph’s Care Group has refused to provide details on the number of infections involved in those outbreaks, or whether they have resulted in any hospitalizations or deaths, in response to requests from TBnewswatch. The organization also declined an interview request.
In an emailed statement, SJCG said it was taking daily steps to reduce transmission, and noted staff are fully vaccinated.
“Everyone entering St. Joseph’s Hospital is screened for COVID symptoms and contacts, and after passing screening, they must complete hand hygiene and wear a surgical mask at all times within our site,” said vice-president of rehabilitative care Carolyn Freitag. “We’ve maintained those precautions as part of our ongoing pandemic response.”
