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COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus)

For the most recent provincial information on COVID-19, including symptoms and the status of cases in Ontario, NHH recommends Ontario’s dedicated COVID website: ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus . For updates on the number of confirmed cases in Northumberland County and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit area, see the Health Unit website: hkpr.on.ca 

Additional Information for NHH Patients, Families and Visitors

[Updated July 30, 2020, 10:00 AM – this information is subject to change.]

As COVID-19 continues to evolve, hospitals, paramedics, primary care, public health units and other partners are working together to ensure safe practices in our communities. The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to identify the risk to Canadians as high, with an increased risk of more severe outcomes from COVID-19 for older people (age 65+), people with underlying medical conditions (e.g. heart or chronic lung disease), and individuals with compromised immune systems. Locally, the HKPR District Health Unit has confirmed that COVID-19 is present in the community, with a total of 25 confirmed cases identified to date among Northumberland residents (as of July 30, 2020). In addition to recommending the provincial information and related links on Ontario’s COVID website, NHH continues to update the following News and Frequently Asked Questions section to further support local information sharing.

News

NHH COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Is NHH still accepting donations to support the COVID-19 response effort?

Offers of support have been coming in to NHH in many ways. Thank you, Northumberland. We are extremely grateful. Please see below for tips on how you can best help us channel these acts of kindness at this time:

Q.2 What can I do to minimize my risk?

Hand washing and maintaining physical distance from those outside your immediate household (2 metres) are two of the most important things we can all do to minimize the risk of catching a virus. Washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also very important. You should wash your hands:

To minimize the risk of spreading viruses to others, you should also cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue handy, cough or sneeze into sleeve or arm. Stay home when you are ill and avoid contact with others through physical distancing, particularly those who may be more vulnerable.

Federal and provincial public health authorities are also now recommending cloth face coverings for all as an additional means of minimizing the spread of infection when physical distancing is not possible. For information on how to put on, remove and clean a non-medical face mask, see Health Canada recommendations here.

Q.3 What should people in Northumberland County do if they think they have COVID-19 symptoms or may have come into contact with someone with COVID-19?

The Ministry of Health COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms has been updated regularly since the pandemic was first announced. It includes typical and atypical symptoms, including: 

For the most recent list of symptoms, please refer to the latest version of the Reference Document on the Ministry of Health COVID website here.

Individuals who believe they may have had exposure to COVID-19 may contact any of the following to receive a test:

OR use this online self-assessment tool to help determine if you need to seek further care.

If symptoms are severe, call 911 and alert the dispatcher to the potential concern regarding COVID-19 so they can be appropriately prepared.

Q.4 I called the NHH COVID-19 Assessment Centre and was told to come in for assessment and testing? What should I expect?

Individuals who are directed to present to the Assessment Centre at NHH for physical assessment will be asked to wash their hands and answer a series of pre-screening questions immediately inside the entrance of the hospital prior to visiting the Centre. Your temperature will be taken by an RN at the entrance, and those wearing latex gloves will be required to remove them prior to entry to ensure completion of hand hygiene. All patients coming into the hospital will be asked to put on a mask. Visitors restrictions are in place at this time, so please -- only the individual requireing assessment should attend. Hospital staff within the Assessment Centre will complete the screening process, and administer the test (if deemed clinically appropriate). The test consists of a swab, inserted into the throat and nasal passage. It is not painful, but many report that it is briefly uncomfortable. Following the test patients are directed on next steps as required.

Q. 5 Are results available immediately?

The majority of patients under investigation for COVID-19 have mild symptoms and do not require hospital admission. Patients under investigation for COVID-19 are discharged home on self-isolation when it is safe to do so, to await laboratory test results. See this helpful document from Public Health Ontario for details on the follow-up instructions. Circumstances vary, but it may take between 24 – 72 hours, or longer, to receive your results. Patients who require admission to hospital will be admitted and treated as required, either at NHH or at a regional centre, depending on their clinical needs. NHH’s team, including Infection Prevention and Control, continue to work closely with local Public Health and area primary care providers to help guide decision-making and follow up on a case-by-case basis.

Q. 6 What should I do if I have recently returned from travelling, but do not feel sick?

The Government of Canada has (as of March 13, 2020) warned against all international travel. All travellers arriving in Canada from international points are now required to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution. For the latest information for Ontario residents see the Ontario COVID website . It is believed that it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear after exposure to COVID-19. Self-monitor for symptoms and follow the directions above if you develop symptoms or if you have concerns.

Q.7 Are visitor restrictions still in place?

Visitor and family presence is integral to patient safety, the healing process, the patient's medical and psychological well-being, comfort and quality of life. While NHH had an open visiting policy prior to COVID-19, since the onset of the pandemic, traffic within the hospital has been restricted and in-person visits have been limited to essential visitors only, namely a patient that is dying or very ill; a support for a delivering mother; a parent/guardian of a child or primnary family caregiver for an individual with specific needs. Beginning Saturday, July 25th, NHH will resume inpatient unit visits for one designated visitor or primary family caregiver on weekends and selected holidays (NEW including the August 3rd Civic Holiday) when traffic in and out of the hospital for outpatient care is typically low and physical distancing requirements can be met. For details please see the related media release and Frequently Asked Question document here. NHH's Virtual Visiting program continues to be available. Over 200 of these visits have been coordinated since the Program launched in April. Virtual visits may be schedule weekdays by contacting the hospital's Virtual Visiting Team at 905-372-6811, ext. 3146 or by email to virtualconnections@nhh.ca  Note: to protect patient privacy, the patient's full name should not be included in the email. Read more about Virtual Visiting, including how to request a virtual visit, here.

Q.8 Are screening procedures in place at public entry ways?

Yes. NHH continues to actively screen incomers at all open public entrances to assess for symptoms and to support the visitor restrictions as noted above. As well, the wing used by patients to access both Dialysis and Cancer and Supportive Care Services remains restricted to minimize traffic near this vulnerable patient population. At any time, if you have a clinic appointment, test or other procedure scheduled, and have any of the following symptoms, please call your clinic to see if you should still come to the hospital.

Symptoms to watch for include:

Q.9 Are there any changes to patient services at NHH or other supports, like the cafeteria?

Services continue to ramp back up at NHH. Guided by a multi-disciplinary Service Continuity and Planning Working Group, this includes (as of July 17, 2020):

 The Main Street Bistro remains closed to the public and open in a limited capacity for staff/physicians only.

Q.10 A family member is returning home from travelling abroad, and will be self-isolating in my home. Do I have to isolate too?

Public Health Ontario has developed a very helpful Self-isolation: Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts.  It has specific guidance for 'close contacts' on how to care for or live with someone who has the virus.

Q. 11 Are there specific mental health supports you can recommend?

The emotional and psychological impact of COVID-19 and the change and uncertainty it has brought to our lives is significant. Reach out if you need to speak with someone. Free supports are available locally and from a range of provincial resources. Below are just some of the options available.

Walk-in Counselling Clinic (905-377-7784), Tuesdays from 8 AM – 4PM and Thursdays from 10 AM to 6 PM – temporarily shifted to a virtual model as a result of COVID-19, the walk-in is also available to a limited number of in-person appointments for individuals without access to phone and/or virtual services. Precautions will be in place to ensure client safety with appropriate physical distancing.

Connect with peers on the Big White Wall – an anonymous online community where members can support each other 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Big White Wall offers a self-assessment, reading resources, self-guided courses and creative tools to help express how you’re feeling.

BounceBack – a free skill-building program for adults and youth 15+, BounceBack  offers the guidance of a coach to work through a series of workbooks at your own pace to help gain practical skills to help manage low mood, anxiety, worry or stress.

Kids Help Phone – for support at any time of day, children and youth can call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 to contact the Kids Help Phone.

For individuals in crisis:

For more information on mental health resources see the Ontario mental health, wellness and addictions support summary on the province’s COVID-19 website here.

Resources