In response to the increase in cases of COVID-19 in our community and across the province, as well as the impact of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, our Hospital has moved its internal COVID-19 Pandemic Response Level to Red (Control). Effective Monday, January 3, 2022, our Hospital’s Care Partner (CP) and Essential Care Partner (ECP) guidelines will have the following changes implemented:

1. All inpatients will be granted one ECP unless indicated otherwise in the Care Partner/Essential Care Partner Guidance Document. Please refer to the Care Partner/Essential Care Partner Guidance Document for guidelines specific to specialty inpatient areas and certain patient populations. 

2. All outpatients will be granted one ECP as required and as outlined in the Care Partner/Essential Care Partner Guidance Document.

3. Individuals visiting a COVID-19 positive patient facing end of life will be allowed in room access conditional on the completion of the Care Partner/Essential Care Partner Consent to Risk of Visiting Patient (COVID-19). Please refer to the Essential Care Partner Decision Making document for details outlining this process. 

Essential Care Partner access balances the importance of patients having the support of their care partners while also maintaining safety within the departments. Exceptions to these guidelines will be considered on an individual basis and should be directed to the Unit Manager, or Administrative Coordinator, if after hours.

For your reference, the following supporting documents are attached and can be found at https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information/: 

• Care Partner/Essential Care Partner Guidance Document (v.10)
• Essential Care Partner Decision Making
• Care Partner/Essential Care Partner Consent to Risk of Visiting Patient (COVID-19)

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our staff and patients. 

All Hospital COVID-19 updates and resources are available on the iNtranet at https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information/.