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
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.