October 15, 2021 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that visitor restrictions have been lifted at all units at Saint Luke’s Homes and at Blue Crest Nursing Home. Visiting hours are determined by facility and visitors/support persons are advised to contact the patient’s/resident’s health-care team for further information.
Visitor precautions due to respiratory illness remain in place at the Pleasant View Terrace unit at Saint Luke’s Homes. Those wishing to visit should contact the facility/unit/resident care manager.
If a precaution or restriction is in effect, individuals should refrain from visiting that facility when possible, and immediate family members should contact the facility before visiting.
When visitor precautions are in place:
Visiting is permitted but the public is being cautioned about a current outbreak. During visitor precautions, visitors will be required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
When visitor restrictions are in place:
Visiting is prohibited and visitors are only permitted under exceptional circumstances; for example, palliative care visitation or as a designated support person that is deemed necessary for care. During visitor restrictions, any permitted visitors will also be required to wear the appropriate PPE.
Visitor restrictions were originally implemented at Saint Luke’s Homes on September 27 following positive COVID-19 testing identified at the site and have been gradually lifted for parts of the facility since this date. Visitor restrictions were originally implemented at Blue Crest Nursing Home on October 1 due to an increase in respiratory illness.
The most up-to-date information regarding visitor precautions and restrictions at Eastern Health facilities is available on the ’visitor precautions and outbreaks webpage’ on Eastern Health’s website: www.easternhealth.ca/visitors/visitor-precautions-and-outbreaks/.
Eastern Health continues to be diligent in its management of this public health emergency. For more information about current visitation guidelines, please see the ‘visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic’ webpage via www.easternhealth.ca/covid19/visiting-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/.
Visitors can help reduce the spread of illness by following these precautions:
- Do not visit if you are ill or are experiencing flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Clean your hands before entering and after visiting your loved ones.
- Cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue or with the crook of your arms.
- Refrain from touching your loved ones’ face.
- Check with nursing staff before you visit.
- Should you visit more than one resident at one visit, please ensure you take necessary precautions and repeat hand hygiene.
- Wear protective equipment, such as masks, gown and gloves for the duration of the visit, when advised by nursing staff. Nurses will show you how to properly apply and remove personal protective equipment.
Eastern Health also reminds visitors that masks continue to be mandatory at all Eastern Health facilities, sites and clinics; during home visits from Eastern Health staff; as well as in congregate living facilities for seniors and within personal care homes and long-term care facilities. The provided mask must be worn throughout the duration of the visitor’s time in our hospitals and other health-care facilities, including while visiting patient/resident rooms. This is a necessary precaution to keep people safe while in our health-care facilities. Wearing masks is one of the key strategies in preventing the spread of infection, and is especially critical within health-care settings to protect patients, clients and residents as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
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