The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is taking further action to protect the health and safety of residents, staff and from COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. This is necessary to provide optimal safety and support while balancing the mental and emotional well-being of patients, residents and their families, and to safeguard the staff who are critical to providing care.
Accordingly, Riverside Health Care (RHC) has likewise adjusted its COVID-19 visitation requirements for Long Term Care (Rainycrest), Acute Care (LaVerendrye Hospital –LVGH) and combined Long Term Care and Acute Care (Emo Health Centre and Rainy River Health Centre)
VISITOR AND VACCINE REQUIREMENTS
Effective immediately children under five (5) years of age will NOT be permitted entry to any site as visitors.
GENERAL VISITORS
Long-term care sites: Effective immediately general visitors must be fully vaccinated and show proof prior to entry.
Acute care sites: Effective January 10, 2022, general visitors must be fully vaccinated and show proof prior to entry.
Up to two (2) fully vaccinated visitors at a time will be allowed entry (includes caregivers).
CAREGIVERS
To enter, caregivers must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination status:
Long-term care sites: required to have a first dose by December 20, 2021, and by February 21, 2022 to show proof of all required doses; until this time anyone entering who is partially vaccinated must have a rapid antigen test.
Acute care sites: required to have their first dose received by January 10, 2022, and all required doses to be considered fully vaccinated by March 14, 2022; until this time anyone entering who is partial or unvaccinated must have a rapid antigen test.
Up to two (2) caregivers allowed at a time. If partially vaccinated, visit must be within Patient/Resident’s room.
EXEMPTIONS
All sites:
- Valid medical exemption
- Palliative end of life situations
Acute Care:
- Patient in labour
- Emergency Department patients
- Patients in critical condition
- Paediatric patients less than 18 years of age – 1 caregiver
- Patients with cognitive, mental health, or behavioural issues that impact the care team’s ability to provide safe care – 1 caregiver
For these exempted cases, a negative rapid antigen test will be required prior to visiting, if unvaccinated.
RAPID ANTIGEN TEST REQUIREMENTS
All sites will require all staff, contract staff, students, volunteers and caregivers/general visitors to have a negative rapid antigen test regardless of vaccination status.
FREQUENCY
- Fully vaccinated Caregiver: If you are visiting LTC site or an ALC patient in Acute Care two (2) or more times/week, you will require a test 2 times a week (on non-consecutive days)
- Partially vaccinated (LTC) or partial/unvaccinated (Acute Care) Caregiver: you will require a test 3 times a week (on non-consecutive days)
- Occasional entry requires test on day of visit or on the previous day (good for 48 hours)
- Rainycrest Long Term Care Caregivers and Acute Care (LVGH) ALC Caregivers please call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 807-274-3261 ext 4913 to book regular appointments for rapid antigen tests.
- Emo Health Centre and Rainy River Health Centre will provide rapid antigen testing onsite when you present for your visit.
- General Visitors tests can be completed at the site you are visiting or by appointment at the Covid-19 Assessment Centre. Please note very limited capacity for testing on Sundays at Rainycrest.
With this new process there could be a delay in the screening process to accommodate rapid antigen testing, please be patient and respectful as we adjust to this new process.
Rapid antigen testing is not required for those registering for care or appointments.
Travel outside of Canada
If you travel anywhere outside of Canada (including US), you are required to have a Rapid Antigen Test with negative result every 48 hours for 14 days post travel prior to entering a site.
VISITING HOURS
- LaVerendrye General Hospital: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Rainycrest Long Term Care: 10:00 am – 6:00pm
- Emo Health Centre: 11:00 am – 4:00pm
- Rainy River Health Centre: 11:00 am – 4:00pm
We thank you for your continued support and commitment to protect the health and safety of those in our care, their loved ones, our team members and the community.
