AMANDA CARVALHO, Communications and Public Affairs Officer, Ross Memorial Hospital
Accessing COVID-19 Testing The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued expanded guidance on Ontario’s testing strategy to provide COVID-19 testing for: All people with at least one symptom of COVID-19, even if they have mild symptoms; Asymptomatic people who have been exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19; or Asymptomatic people who are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their employment. The COVID-19 Assessment Centre phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Please call the Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) COVID-19 Assessment Centre, if you meet any of the above criteria, at 705-328-6217. Testing takes place at the Lindsay Exhibition, at 354 Angeline Street South, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Community members are encouraged to call to book a same-day appointment. Individuals without appointments can be tested at the centre, but may experience wait times. You can check your lab results at ontario.ca/coronavirus. COVID-19 Symptoms can include: Fever/chills, Cough, Shortness of breath, Sore throat, Runny nose, Nasal congestion, Difficulty swallowing, Unexplained fatigue, Unexplained headache, Joint/muscle aches, and Loss of taste or smell.
Visitor and family presence restrictions The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is our top priority. In accordance with Ministry of Health guidance, Ontario hospitals, including RMH, continue to limit visitors and family presence. Our Emergency Department asks that patients visit unaccompanied, unless a support person is essential, or the patient is a minor. Only one support person/family member will be permitted under these circumstances. For inpatients, visitors are restricted, with exceptions only for: patients who are dying or very ill; visiting a patient undergoing surgery; or visiting or accompanying a women giving birth. Only one visitor will be permitted and visiting must be pre-arranged by contacting the unit directly. Whenever possible, please leverage technology to connect with your loved one. If the patient does not have access to a smartphone or tablet of their own, you can arrange a Virtual Visit video call, by contacting 705-324-6111, extension 5268, please leave a message. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time.
Cloth masks needed As RMH prepares to gradually resume some services, we’ll need more cloth masks to provide to patients and essential visitors. If you are available to sew and donate cloth masks, please follow our guidelines on the following website: https://foundation.rmh.org/foundation-news-releases/donating-homemade-masks. Thank you, to all those who have donated cloth masks so far.
Stay up-to-date Positive cases continue to be reported, on our health unit’s website, at www.hkpr.on.ca. Information specific to RMH at rmh.org/covid-19.