As Wiikwemkoong deals with COVID-19 outbreak, Manitoulin Health Centre tightens entry rules
As COVID-19 cases surge in the region, the Manitoulin Health Centre is rolling out a mandatory vaccination policy for designated care partners and visitors to both of its sites.
The new restrictions come into effect Dec. 6, the MHC said in a news release Tuesday.
"All designated care partners and visitors to either site (Little Current or Mindemoya) will be required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 together with government-issued photo ID," the release said.
However, anyone who goes to the hospital for medical reasons will not be asked for their vaccination status unless it is relevant to their care.
"If you are attending for any of those services, the policy does not apply to you," the release said. "Exceptions may be made for those not eligible for vaccination in the case of end of life and persons requiring assistance."
The move comes as residents in Wiikwemkoong are dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak, declared over the weekend.
As of Monday, a total of five cases are active in the community.
"Our nurses have started the case and contact management process and are currently contacting the close contacts for these new active cases," said a post by Ogimaa Duke Peltier.
"Some of the symptoms identified by the new active cases are nasal congestion, feeling off, feeling more tired than normal, and having the sniffles.
Peltier said the community is reverting to Step 1 of the Easing of Restrictions Plan, which includes the following direction:
- Community members are strongly encouraged to stay home, and only leave for essential purposes. This includes designating one person per household to do the essential shopping.
- Community members are strongly encouraged to refrain from any gatherings, and to stay within your household bubble.
- All community programming and events will be cancelled or postponed unless they can be hosted virtually.
- All businesses and organizations within WUT to implement their outbreak management plan and continue with the health and safety precautions.
- All WBE schools, including the Hub Centre will close and begin remote online learning. The schools will be reaching out to the parents.
Anyone who needs mental health support need can contact the crisis team at 705-348-1937.
At the Manitoulin Health Centre, officials said exceptions to the new policy include:
- Parents/guardians of patients under 18 years of age.
- Designated care partners of patients in labour and delivery.
- Designated Care Partners and visitors of patients who have a life-threatening emergency or a new life-altering or critical illness diagnosis where family presence is vital for the patient, family, or care team.
- Designated care partners and visitors of patients who approaching end of life.
- Designated care partners accompanying patients with communication, language barriers, physical or cognitive impairments.
- All visitors under 12 years of age and not yet eligible for vaccination.
However, the policy does apply to clergy and any traditional supports.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.