Important Information for COVID-19 March 13, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE MEDIA RELEASE - March 13, 2020
Joint Media Release on Behalf of:
- Kirkland and District Hospital
- Kirkland District Family Health Team
- Englehart and District Hospital
- Englehart and District Family Health Team
Important Information Regarding COVID-19
As of March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Our organizations are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all Patients, Visitors and Health Care Workers in accordance with Ontario Health and Public Health Ontario (PHO) guidance.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19, call Health811 by dialing 811 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) or the Timiskaming Health Unit at 1-705-567-9355 (Kirkland Lake and Area) or 1-705-544-2221 (Englehart and Area) or Toll free at 1-866-967-9355, prior to making any Hospital or Family Health Team facility visits.
If Health811 or the Timiskaming Health Unit directs you to present to either the Family Health Team or Hospital Emergency Department, please contact the appropriate organization ahead of your visit to ensure that staff can implement appropriate measures and provide additional guidance for when you arrive.
Contact information:
Englehart and District Hospital: 705-544-2301
Englehart and District Family Health Team: 705-544-2321
Kirkland and District Hospital: 705-567-5251
Kirkland District Family Health Team: 705-567-2224
NOTE: If you need immediate medical attention, please call 911.
All patients entering the Emergency Departments and Family Health Teams are asked to observe all posted signage related to COVID-19. You may be asked to wear a mask and complete hand hygiene while waiting for or receiving treatment to prevent the risk of spread of illness.
Patients should note that any changes to existing appointments for regular or routine clinics, visits, or other procedures will be communicated as soon as possible.
In order to appropriately manage the increased volume of inquiries and requests for care, we are screening in the following manner:
- For the Family Health Teams:
Patients with any COVID-19 like symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath), are asked to call the Family Health Team before presenting in person to arrange for a telephone or virtual visit. If you do not have any COVID-19 symptoms, you can present to the Family Health Team in the usual manner.
- For the Hospitals:
Patients with any COVID-19 like symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath), are asked to call the Hospital before presenting in person. If you do not have any COVID-19 symptoms, you can present to the Hospital in the usual manner. Current Hospital visiting hours are 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. If you require any medical attention in our Emergency Departments, please limit the amount of family members or other caregivers that attend with you.
The above measures will allow both the Family Health Teams and the Hospitals to focus our efforts on providing appropriate care as efficiently and effectively as possible in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation. Active screening will be implemented at the main entrances of all sites.
We thank you for your cooperation as the Hospitals, Family Health Teams and other health care partners continue to work together and coordinate our planning and efforts for COVID-19.
For additional information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the following online resources:
Public Health Ontario
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/
Timiskaming Health Unit
Health811
https://www.ontario.ca/Health811
Ontario MD
https://www.ontariomd.ca/pages/ontariomd-covid-19-virtual-care.aspx
