Visitation Expanding for Hospital and Long-Term Care

22-2-2022

With community spread of the Omicron variant decreasing, a gradual, phased resumption of visitation is being continued at the Deep River and District Hospital and Four Seasons Lodge Long-Term Care. Visitors play an important role in the health and well-being of patients and residents, and the organization looks forward to expanding visitation, while maintaining health and safety. 

In alignment with direction from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, The Four Seasons Lodge now allows for four designated Essential Caregivers (ECG) to be identified for each resident. General visitors five years and older who have had at least two COVID-19 vaccine doses are also now able to visit residents at Four Seasons Lodge, with up to three visitors visiting at a time.

Visitation is also being gradually opened for hospital in-patients throughout our region. Starting today, February 22, each in-patient may designate two ECGs and two general visitors, with one ECG and one general visitor being able to visit at a time.

• All visitors must complete COVID-19 screening upon entry, and visitors who ‘fail’ the screening will be turned away.
• ECGs and general visitors must provide proof they have been fully vaccinated (2 doses of a Health Canada approved vaccine) against COVID-19, along with identification.
• All visitors must follow direction provided by the screening desk and staff.
• All visitors must wear a mask that covers the nose, mouth, and chin for the full time of the visit, as well as additional PPE if required. Since masks will be worn for the full time of the visit, no eating or drinking is permitted.
• All visitors wishing to drop-off food or beverages must bring them in sealed containers that can be disinfected at the screening desk.
• All visitors must remain in the designated visiting area (i.e. patient or resident room) and are not permitted to use the patient / resident washroom.
• All visitors must perform hand hygiene when entering and leaving the building, as well as entering and leaving the visiting area.
• All general visitors must maintain physical distance of 2 meters from others, including the patient/ resident they are visiting.
• Essential Caregivers and general visitors for Four Seasons Lodge are required to complete rapid antigen testing as per Ministry of Long-Term Care guidelines.

• Deep River and District Hospital:
• General visitors are able to visit during visiting hours of 10:00 am – 11:30 am and 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.
• Essential Caregivers are able to visit at any time, based on patient needs.
• Four Seasons Lodge:
• Essential Caregivers and general visitors are able to visit at any time, based on resident needs.

• Anyone coming to visit will enter the organization through the Main Entrance and screening station.
• Paid parking is in effect, and individuals are to enter their licence plate number to pay for parking when they arrive at the parking kiosk located just inside the entrance.

We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our community and may adjust visiting policies as necessary to keep the safety of patients, residents, and staff at the forefront. At this time, ‘general’ visitation for Emergency Department patients or accompaniment for out-patient appointments remains restricted at the Deep River and District Hospital.

The organization would like to thank everyone for adhering to public health and other safety precautions so that we may continue to support our patients and residents to be connected in-person with their loved ones during this challenging time.