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WRH REINSTATES NO VISITOR POLICY WITH LIMITED EXCEPTIONS

Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) has reinstituted a NO VISITOR POLICY at both of campuses, effective 12:01 am, Saturday, April 17th, 2021.

WRH says it made the difficult decision as a precaution to keep patients, families and their health care teams safe as transmission rates rise and and the hospital accepts transfers of COVID-19 patients from the Greater Toronto Area where cases are soaring. High patient volumes and reduced critical care bed capacity throughout Ontario is challenging the entire health care system and WRH must do what they can to limit the opportunity for further spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The decision was made in consideration of the following:

• Premier Ford’s latest announcement about the extended stay at home order and other new restrictions on travel outside of the home, as provincial rates of transmission continue to soar, with the more easily spread variants of concern taking hold across Ontario and ICUs stretched well beyond normal capacity.
• An increase in hospitalizations and Emergency Department visits related to COVID-19. WRH currently have 21 individuals in hospital who are confirmed cases of COVID-19 – the most at WRH since March 14th with a number of other admitted patients with tests pending. There are six individuals in the Intensive Care Units as of April, 17, 2021.
• Transmission rates are climbing, which WRH says they know is a precursor to higher hospitalizations. The positivity rates for tests conducted at our COVID-19 Assessment Centres, and the number of positive results, are increasing at a concerning rate.

LIMITED exceptions to the no visitors policy are in place at each institution, in particular for palliative/dying patients. Please refer to this link for the full list of possible exemptions: . WRH recognizes the impact of isolation for patients and families during this difficult time and they say they are doing everything they can to help patients and loved ones stay connected. The hospital supports the use of technology to connect with your loved ones through virtual options, like FaceTime, or telephone calls. You can request a virtual visit here. WRH says it appreciates your understanding while they work to keep protect our community and our keep the hospital system functioning.