April 13, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that temporary visitor restrictions are in place in units/areas at several long-term and acute care facilities across the region due to cases of COVID-19 among residents/patients. The public is reminded that information regarding visitor restrictions is updated regularly, as needed, and is available on Eastern Health’s website. Please refer to the ‘Visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic’ webpage (https://www.easternhealth.ca/covid19/visiting-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/) prior to visiting a health-care facility for full details, including the affected sites/units and contact information.
While temporary visitor restrictions are in place, each resident/patient on the impacted unit or facility is permitted to have one designated visitor, unless otherwise communicated by the care team. Palliative care and end-of-life visitation should be discussed with the health-care team. Immediate family members may contact their assigned unit or the site at the phone numbers provided on the website for further information.
These visitor restrictions are temporary measures to assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and will be reassessed regularly to determine when full visitation can safely resume.
Eastern Health reminds visitors of ongoing COVID-19 protocols in place at health-care facilities, including COVID-19 self-screening for visitors/support persons and masking requirements. The public is asked not to visit any health-care care facility if they feel ill or are symptomatic. For infection prevention, the public is advised to wash their hands frequently, cover their coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the crook of their arms and refrain from touching their faces.
Eastern Health thanks the public for their support and reminds them of the importance of continuing to follow public health guidance to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities. These precautions are designed to help keep patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and physicians safe and help in the prevention and spread of infection.
– 30 –