UPDATE: New visitor restrictions came in effect March 21, 2020 confirming only essential visits to Island Health facilities. Please visit our web page with current details on visitor restrictions and essential visits.
UPDATED: March 17, 2020
This is an update to the information bulletin regarding visitor restrictions issued on March 16, 2020.
Island Health is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) to respond to COVID-19. The situation is evolving quickly and our strategies are evolving to keep people in the communities we serve safe.
To keep our patients, families and staff safe and in keeping with the Provincial Health Officer’s recommendations for social distancing, Island Health is limiting the number of visitors per day entering our buildings, effective immediately.
Until further notice, the following updated visitor restrictions are in place:
• Hospital Emergency Departments, Intensive Care/Critical Care areas: ONE adult caregiver/support person, per day
• Perinatal Unit: ONE adult caregiver/support person, per day
• Neonatal ICU: TWO adult caregivers/support persons, per day
• Inpatient Pediatric and Adult Areas (with routine precautions in place): TWO adult caregivers/support persons, per day
• Inpatient Areas (additional precautions in place): ONE adult caregiver/support person, per day
• Primary and Urgent Care: ONE adult caregiver/support person, per day
• Palliative/end of life: We will accommodate patient and family needs and consult with infection prevention and control.
• Outpatient Clinics: ONE adult caregiver/support person, per day
• Primary and Urgent Care: ONE adult caregiver/support person, per day
• Long-term care homes: Essential visits only
• All children are restricted from visiting any site at this time
No visitor who is unwell with the following symptoms may visit any of the above facilities: fever, cough, runny/stuffy nose, sore throat and/or diarrhea.
Further, anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has been in contact with a person infected with COVID-19 during the previous 14 days, must not visit patients/residents in any Island Health facility or long-term care facility.
Patient navigators will be put in place at the entrances of all facilities to ensure visitors are aware of the restrictions.
We understand the importance of visits from family and loved ones to our patients and long-term care residents and we appreciate your support in helping to keep everyone safe.
The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control is the recommended resource for provincial information that is accurate and current: http://www.bccdc.ca/. Information is being updated frequently on the site at this time and individuals are encouraged to check back regularly (eg. daily).
Island Health also has frequently updated information on our website: www.islandhealth.ca/covid19