As of today (Friday, April 29, 2022), COVID-19 outbreaks at both the Kirkland Lake and Englehart hospital sites have been declared as resolved. Essential care partner restrictions that went into effect on April 7, 2022 will be eased; however, general visitation will still be restricted due to high levels of COVID-19 in the community and ongoing outbreaks in many healthcare settings in our district.  

Blanche River Health saw its highest number of COVID-19-positive inpatients in early April when twelve cases at the Kirkland Lake hospital site and six at the Englehart hospital site materialized as a result of the outbreaks, resulting in the imposing of visitor restrictions.

“While the outbreaks at both hospital sites have been declared as resolved, a number of our partner organizations are currently being impacted by their own outbreaks, and we still have a fair amount of COVID-19 activity in our communities.  As a result, Blanche River Health will continue in its cautious approach to the lifting of visitor restrictions while maintaining enhanced levels of infection prevention and control practices,” said Blanche River Health President and Chief Executive Officer Sean Conroy.

The updated essential care partner policy is as follows:   

• All acute/long-stay/palliative care patients: Two essential care partners at a time during visiting hours;  
• Pediatric patients: Two parents/guardians or essential care partners;
• End-of-life patients: Two essential care partners at a time and can identify multiple caregivers;
• Critically ill or sudden decline in status: Two essential care partners.

Outpatients and patients coming to the Emergency Department who require additional support will be permitted an escort as previously implemented on April 7, 2022.

All essential care partners will be required to test negatively on a rapid antigen test performed the day of each visit and will be screened upon entry into the hospital. Essential care partners are required to perform hand hygiene prior to and after leaving a patient’s room and must wear a mask at all times while in the hospital. Visiting hours will be limited to 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm daily.

If you are an escort, caregiver or essential care partner who is not feeling well, have tested positive within the last ten days or have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, please do not come to the hospital.

 “I want to thank our community members for their patience, especially at a time when there is so much focus on moving past the various public health measures that had been in effect,” said Conroy. He continued, “Blanche River Health recognizes the importance of having family members and loved ones involved in the care of our patients, and we will continue to assess the risks to our patients and services as we consider further easing of visitor restrictions in the future.”

For more information about Blanche River Health, and for the latest COVID-19 updates, please visit www.blancheriverhealth.ca.