Provided by: Sun-Times
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South Bruce Gray Health Service is adjusting its mask-wearing guidelines as the region enters the fall respiratory virus season.
The local health corporation, which operates hospitals in Chesley, Durham, Walkerton and Kincardine, announced Wednesday that it is implementing new mask requirements for patients, visitors and staff effective immediately.
Patients and visitors are encouraged to wear masks when directly meeting or speaking with health care workers in all clinical areas and healthcare settings, especially in the emergency department. Patients with fever or respiratory symptoms must wear a mask in all clinical and non-clinical settings, unless they are receiving direct care from a health care worker in the admission room or bed space.
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Staff and physicians must wear masks during all direct patient contact in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. Masks are encouraged but not required in common areas such as team stations, hallways and break areas.
Masks will continue to be available at all hospital entrances and health facilities.
“We would like to thank our patients, families, and communities for their continued support as we work toward these new requirements and recommendations to ensure the protection of our hospital community throughout the respiratory phase,” in a news release. Stated. “As always, we will continue to continually evaluate our infection prevention and control safety measures.”
