COVID-19

COVID-19 updates from Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital

Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your local public health unit if you’re experiencing symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Please do not visit an assessment centre unless you have symptoms.

Do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.

 

Visitor Restrictions 

Effectively immediately, the Hospital is closed to visitors, except under the following special circumstances:

Circumstance Restriction
Obstetrics Department 1 visitor per patient
Patient is a minor
Patient is palliative
Home Dialysis Training
Emergency Surgery
Other situations deemed to be an exception for compassionate or clinical reasons

Please note that regardless of circumstance, visitors will not be permitted for patients that are confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19.

All patients and visitors arriving at the hospital will continue to be assessed by screeners at designated entryways before being allowed entry into the facility.

The hospital continues to advise visitors who feel unwell, but do not require care, to avoid coming to the hospital.   Those that do come to the hospital are reminded to wash their hands thoroughly as they enter and exit different areas.

In summary,

  • Visitors to hospital by special circumstance only
  • Where circumstance permits, a limit of one visitor per patient
  • If you don’t need to be at the hospital, please do not visit

The hospital understands the important role that visitors play in the health and recovery of patients, and we appreciate the community’s support as we implement these measures for the safety of all.

Access to OSMH

  • All patients and visitors will be screened before entering the hospital. You will be asked about any travel history and if you are experiencing any symptoms. Based on the results of the screening, some visitors may not be allowed to enter the hospital. If it is deemed that you require further medical attention, you may be directed to either the Emergency Department
  • All visitors to the hospital are asked to use the main entrance off of Dunlop Street
  • Emergency entrance will still be open 24/7 for emergency visits
  • Please only use the west entrance for dialysis and obstetric appointments only
  • The Outpatient entrance on Mississaga will be closed – please use the main entrance instead
  • The accessible entrance will be open through buzzer communication from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Postponement of elective, non-urgent procedures

To reduce non-essential visits to the hospital and as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, OSMH is postponing elective, non-urgent surgical procedures, effective Monday, March 16, 2020. The hospital will be reaching out to patients to advise them of the postponement. All inpatient and outpatient services are being prioritized to ensure needed services are provided in a timely manner.

COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Orillia’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Orillia has opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre located on Volunteer Drive next to our hospital.

If you think you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, please review the self-assessment tool to help you determine if you need to come to our Assessment Centre:

Hours:

Monday – Friday: 11 am – 7 pm (The last patient will be seen at 6:30 pm)

Saturday and Sunday: 11 am – 3 pm

How can I be seen at the Assessment Centre?

Please enter the assessment centre on Volunteer Drive from Mississaga Street – Volunteer Drive has temporarily been designated as a one way street. You will be assessed by a nurse from your vehicle to determine next steps. Click here to see the map.

What happens at the Assessment Centre?

Most patients at the Assessment Centre will be assessed by a nurse, while still in your vehicle.  The nurse will make a clinical determination if a test is required. If a test is required, the patient will go inside the Kiwanis building to be swabbed and the sample sent for processing. While awaiting results, patients will be given instructions on how to self-isolate at home.

For the safety of our staff and patients – you will be asked to stay in your car until you screened and receive further instructions.

Everyone will be screened, and those who meet all criteria will be swabbed.

Walk up patients will be asked to wait outside in line until they are assessed by a nurse. Please make sure you are 2 metres apart from others in line.

Please note: The intention of the assessment centre is for assessment and swabbing. We are not providing documentation for return to work purposes.

If I am tested at the Assessment Centre, how will I find out the results?

Public Health will contact you to inform you of the result and provide any other necessary information if you test positive.

If I am tested, how long will it take to get the results?

This will vary depending on the number of tests being performed. Patients will be advised to remain at home in self-isolation pending the results of their test.  Regardless of the result you must self-isolate at home.

Click here for a guide on how to self-isolate.

It is important to note that not all patients who go to the Assessment Centre will be tested. Patients will be assessed by a nurse who will make the clinical determination if a test is required based on ministry of health criteria.

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