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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.