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SAH not yet asking for vaccination proof from visitors

‘Vaccination would not be required for individuals seeking care,’ hospital says; SAH also ready to take out of province patients if necessary
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Sault Area Hospital. Darren Taylor/SooToday

Sault Area Hospital is not, at this point, asking visitors for proof of vaccination.

However, “our COVID-19 visitor policy is an example of an item that we review on a regular basis at our weekly COVID-19 Command meeting,” said Brandy Sharp Young, SAH spokesperson in an email.

Effective Friday, Kingston Health Sciences Centre will require all registered family visitors arriving to visit inpatients to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination before entering the hospital.

Several Greater Toronto Area (GTA) health centres are also putting that rule into effect.

“Sault Area Hospital continues to assess the environment while making decisions regarding the management of COVID-19 by following best practice guidelines and advice from Public Health to ensure the continued safety of our patients, health care workers and community while providing patient-centred care.”

SAH is closely following measures introduced at other Ontario hospitals, monitoring the Sault and Algoma district’s COVID-19 experience, reviewing Ministry of Health guidance and considering the needs of essential caregivers and Patient Family Advisors in considering any possible changes to its COVID-19 visitor policy.

As of 1:30 p.m. Thursday, out of 172,404 people tested for COVID-19, there have been 486 confirmed cases of COVID in the Sault and Algoma, with 479 resolved cases.

There are seven active cases, none currently hospitalized.

There have been eight COVID deaths in the region.

“We recognize the integral role that visitors play in providing physical, social, emotional and navigation of care. There is evidence to demonstrate that family presence improves the quality of life and results in better outcomes and the patient care experience. Any changes to our COVID-19 visitor policy would consider the importance of visitors and the overall risk to our patients, health care workers, and community. Changes would be shared with our community in advance to support limited disruption to patient visits,” Sharp Young stated.

“Vaccination would not be a requirement for individuals seeking care,” she added.

Meanwhile, SAH is prepared to take out-of-province patients if necessary.

Sharp Young wrote “at the present time, SAH has been informed that we may receive patients from Saskatchewan (but) confirmation has not yet been received.”

“Throughout the pandemic, Ontario’s healthcare system has worked as one to provide critical care to patients and save lives. The healthcare system in Ontario is collaborating with the healthcare system in Saskatchewan to be ready to support patients should the need arise.”

Active cases in Saskatchewan, as of Thursday, were at 3,104 with a seven-day average of 313 new cases.

Saskatchewan hospitals are treating 322 residents with the virus, including 76 in ICUs. 

“Patients have not been transferred, and we do not anticipate patients arriving from Alberta,” Sharp Young said.

Alberta has undergone a COVID crisis, but on Thursday, that province reported 770 new cases of COVID-19, as pressure on the Alberta health system seemed to ease.

Currently, there are over 10,400 active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta, with 912 Albertans in hospital receiving treatment for COVID-19.

Should the need arise to take out-of-province patients into SAH’s ICU, Sharp Young said the hospital is ready.

“We are prepared to accept all patients who need our help; this would not be new work for us but rather our everyday readiness to care for patients that need us most. Any transfer of patients would be initiated and arranged through the Ontario Critical Care Command Centre. Like other hospitals in Ontario, SAH will be available to accept transfers of critical care patients if requested and if capacity allows.”

SAH currently has critical care capacity for 22 patients. 

“We currently have nine patients in the ICU, and our staffing levels are stable,” Sharp Young said Friday.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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