Alberta makes changes to hospital visits during COVID-19 pandemic
Posted Mar 19, 2020 7:09 am.
Last Updated Mar 19, 2020 7:10 am.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – A rise in cases of COVID-19 is prompting further measures for the province’s hospitals.
During her update on Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw said Alberta Health Services is moving to restrict visitors to hospitals and care centres to protect patients and the most vulnerable.
Effective immediately, only one adult visitor is allowed at a time and that visitor must not show symptoms of the coronavirus.
Dr Hinshaw said exceptions for children will be looked at on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances.
She encourages Albertans to find alternate ways to connect with loved ones in hospital including phone calls or video chats.
The days and months ahead will be difficult for all of us.
We need to face this pandemic together and respond to this extraordinary crisis with extraordinary kindness.
I want to remind Albertans: it is together that we will overcome. #COVID19AB
— Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health (@CMOH_Alberta) March 19, 2020
“We recognize this will likely be difficult for families and loved ones but we must do all we can to minimize the risk of infection to our residents and staff. COVID-19 has forced us to make extremely difficult decisions. We have had to weigh lives against livelihoods.”
Alberta has already postponed elective and non-emergency surgeries because of the coronavirus.
Dr. Hinshaw said the was made to ensure AHS has the staff, equipment and beds available for the expected increased demand on our healthcare system caused by COVID-19.
