Elliot Lake hospital moving towards ‘normalcy’ with mask-friendly policy
St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake (SJGHEL) moving towards “normalcy,” said hospital officials in a news release Friday.
An undated file photo of disposable medical mask. (CTV News)
Starting on April 29, SJGHEL will transition from its Universal Masking Policy to a more ‘mask-friendly’ policy.
“As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19 and other Acute Respiratory
Infections (ARIs), SJGHEL remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its
patients, staff, and visitors while adapting to evolving circumstances,” read the release.
The hospital will still encourage everyone to continue practicing good hand hygiene and “respiratory etiquette” to help mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses.
“As an outbreak prevention measure to our most vulnerable patients, all essential care partners and visitors to inpatient units will still be required to wear a medical mask while in shared occupancy rooms, until further notice,” said staff.
SJGHEL will still require masking of all patients and their support persons attending the emergency, chemotherapy and day surgery departments until they are assessed by a healthcare provider.
The hospital said it will also continue to monitor Algoma Public Health recommendations and policies or procedures may be adjusted to prioritize the health and safety of its staff and patients.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.