Shared on behalf of Adam Vinet, Vice President, Patient Experience, Chief Nursing Executive & RVP, Regional Cancer Care

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Due to current surveillance data demonstrating increasing activity of respiratory infections, including influenza and other respiratory viruses on our Inpatient Clinical Units and Emergency Department, masking requirements will increase to Mandatory Masking – Stage 3, effective December 29, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

Please note that as of December 29, 2025, all Staff Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers and Essential Care Partners (ECPs)/Care Partners (CPs) must wear a Level 3 procedure mask at all times when entering all Inpatient Clinical Units and when in the Emergency Department.

Please see the following details on masking requirements:

1A Inpatient Units

• All Staff, Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers and ECPs/CPs must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times while on units 1A Medicine, and 1A Acute Oncology. This includes when entering a patient room and when within the 1A clinical area.

All other Inpatient Units

• All Staff, Professional Staff, Learners, and Volunteers must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times when entering all clinical departments.
• All ECP/CPs must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times when entering all clinical departments.

Emergency Department

• All Staff, Professional Staff, Learners and Volunteers must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times in the department.
• All Patients and ECPs/CPs accompanying a patient must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times in the department.

Public communication and signage will be provided to support the above requirements. Further communication will occur on this topic as required.

If you are a staff member who has been ill, please review the Occupational Health and Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP-OH-34) before returning to work. This will help ensure you meet all necessary criteria for a safe and appropriate return.

Acute Respiratory Infection Self-screening Checklist:

Respiratory symptoms:

• New or worsening cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose or congested nose
• Shortness of breath
• Fever or chills
• Fatigue/muscle aches

Other Indicators:

• Tested positive for a respiratory virus
• Close contact with a confirmed case (self-monitor and mask)

Thank you for your commitment to keeping our patients, staff and Hospital safe. If you have any questions, please ask your manager or reach out to Infection Prevention and Control at 684-6094 for further details on best practices.