COVID-19
Admitted patients with COVID-19: 5 (2 with COVID as primary cause of admission)
*Current as of September 23, 2022. Updated by noon, Monday - Friday*
COVID-19 Testing and Clinical Assessments at RMH are By Appointment Only
How to book an appointment
- Leave a message anytime at 705-328-6217 (If there is a delay in getting through or leaving a message, please continue trying)
- You will receive a call back within 1-2 business days
- Do not leave multiple messages
- Appointments are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Arriving for your appointment​
- Arrive to the hospital at your appointment time
- Park in the short-term parking lot at the south side of the hospital, entering from Kent St. (There is no charge for parking for those visiting the assessment centre. All other patients should use short or long-term parking on the North side of the hospital)
- Wear a mask
- Bring your health card and identification
- Proceed to the South Entrance (follow signage for COVID-19 Assessment Centre)
- Maintain physical distancing from others awaiting testing
The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre can provide testing for:
**Please note that Ross Memorial does not provide testing for travel**
- Anyone age 1 and over who is showing COVID-19 symptoms. You may be asked to visit the Emergency Department if your symptoms, or your child’s symptoms are severe
- ​Individuals who have been notified by Public Health or the COVID Alert app about a potential exposure to a confirmed case of the virus
- Individuals who live or work in an at-risk setting, including long-term care, shelters or other congregate setting
- You will be visiting a long term care home
- You are eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative as determined by the Ministry of Health or Ministry of Long Term Care
- Those who require COVID-19 testing prior to medical procedure
If symptoms are severe, including difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion or loss of consciousness, you should call 911 or proceed to the Emergency Department.
Test Results
Your results should be available at Ontario.ca/coronavirus within 5 days of your test. If you haven’t been able to access your results online after 5 days, call 705-328-6217 and leave a message.
CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS
In addition to testing, Ross Memorial offers clinical assessments. Our on-site health care professionals can provide an assessment if your COVID-19 symptoms are getting worse, but are not severe enough to require an emergency department visit.
Individuals seeking a clinical assessment are asked to book an appointment through the same (705)328-6217 phone number.
Local COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
- Vaccine opportunities can be found through the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
- You may also find a local pharmacy to receive your vaccine
For information about the COVID-19 Vaccine, please visit the provincial website.
Enhanced Measures in Place at RMH
All contractors and outside vendors must adhere to Ross Memorial Hospital’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. This includes submitting a COVID-19 Attestation Form and following the hospital's guidelines.
Limiting entrances to hospital
- Emergency Department entrance – 24 hours/day
- Main entrance – 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dialysis entrance – For Dialysis patients ONLY – 6:30a.m. to 7 p.m.
Note - Admitting (south) and Administrative (west) entrances are reserved for COVID-19 Assessment only.
Visiting Restrictions and Protocols - Effective June 30, 2022
RMH strongly encourages eligible community members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help ensure the safest possible environment for everyone.
Subject to change without notice. Some exceptions apply.
A Mandatory Masking Policy is in place. The hospital will provide masks upon entry.
Effective June 30, 2022, RMH’s visitation restrictions/protocols are as follows:
Visiting Protocols
- All visitors will be self-screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Those who fail the screening will be denied entry to RMH.
- Each admitted patient will be allowed two visitors at a time.
- Visitors are not permitted for patients in isolation awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test until a negative result is confirmed, unless identified as a vulnerable patient (see below).
- Visitors must wear a hospital-issued mask at all times. Cloth masks or any other face-covering brought from home will not be accepted.
- Masks must always cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the face.
- Visitors must maintain at least two metres distance between patients and members of the care team at all times.
- Visitors must follow safety precautions such as hand-sanitizing and the wearing. of Personal Protective Equipment, if required (as directed by the care team).
- Visitors are not to eat or drink while inside RMH.
- Visitors must go to and from the unit they are visiting – NO unit-to-unit visiting. For more information, please contact your care team.
Visiting Hours
Inpatient units: Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Visitor Allowance by Patient Type
Vulnerable Patients
Someone who is, or may be for any reason, unable to protect and take care of themselves against significant harm or exploitation (e.g. patient under 18 years of age, has a cognitive impairment, significant developmental and/or intellectual disability, has mobility concerns, or is unable to effectively communicate).
Emergency Care Patients
Vulnerable Patients (as defined above) who present to the Emergency Department, pregnant patients with complications, mental health patients who would benefit from a support person present (e.g. significant anxiety, delusions, and threats of harming themselves), patients who are critically ill, or patients with a high risk of dying in the next 24 hours.
- One visitor to stay with patient in ED when in a defined room that allows physical distancing, excluding waiting room areas.
End of Life
(Including MAID and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment)
Patient with high risk of dying within two weeks:
- Two visitors at a time.
- Cultural /spiritual practices to be enabled.
- Spiritual leaders are not considered as a visitor.
Patient with high risk of dying within the next 24-to-48 hours:
- 24-hour access to people of importance (immediate family).
- Four visitors at a time, no limit in a day.
- Cultural /spiritual practices to be enabled.
- Spiritual leaders are not considered a visitor.
Child Birth
Patient in labour and delivery
- Two visitors for labour and delivery support and to stay as long as mother requires assistance with care for infant.
- A Doula is not considered a visitor.
Postpartum
- Two visitors at a time.
Inpatients (Medical, Surgical, CCP1, CCP2)
- Two visitors at a time.
- Exception: No visitors are permitted for COVID-19 positive inpatients who are not critically ill or at end of life.
Mental Health Unit
- Two visitors at a time.
- Appointments must be made with the unit for visits.
Ambulatory Care / Diagnostic Imaging Clinic Patients
- One visitor to accompany the patient to outpatient appointments, as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
Visitor Information / COVID-19 Screening Information
Visitors must use the Main Entrance and will not be permitted to enter if exhibiting the following signs or symptoms:
- Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Anyone who is known or suspected COVID-19 positive and has not been cleared by Public Health.
- Anyone who is a contact of a known COVID-19 positive individual.
We continue to offer Virtual Visits (video calls) to support patients and loved ones staying connected. Learn more.
Care Packages for Patients
It's hard being away from your loved one in hospital. You can send them a care package to let them know you're thinking of them. Please label your package (patient's name and room #) and drop it off at the main entrance from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please limit your care package to essential items only:
- One grocery-sized bag or small box per patient
- Personal aids - walkers, canes, glasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetics - items must arrive cleaned
- Communication aids - phone, charger, tablet. Item must arrive cleaned.
- Toiletries and grooming items - toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, razor, brush. Items must be new.
- Clothing - items must be laundered.
- Food: Must be packaged in a sealable, wipeable container, not require refrigeration or heating, and be easily discarded.
Resources
- Government of Ontario COVID-19 Website ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
- COVID-19 Self Assessment ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-self-assessment
- HKPRD Health Unit (including local cases) hkpr.on.ca
- Public Health Agency of Canada canada.ca/coronavirus
- World Health Organization who.int/health-topics/coronavirus