Hospitals in Chatham-Kent are further restricting access for visitors in an effort to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community.
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance announced on Tuesday that visitors will no longer be allowed in the intensive care unit (ICU). The health alliance had already restricted the hospitals in Wallaceburg and Chatham to one visitor for each labouring mother, paediatric patient, a patient undergoing life-threatening surgery, and any patient who is imminently dying.
With the tighter restrictions in place, visitors will not be allowed in the ICU even if they are trying to see a patient who is close to death.
All visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
"These decisions have been made in consultation with the Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health," the CKHA said in a news release.
The CKHA also postponed all non-urgent, elective and scheduled procedures at both hospitals last week.
The entrances have been limited to the main entrance at the hospital in the Chatham site and the emergency department at the Wallaceburg hospital.
"CKHA advises the public to not come to the hospital unless it is absolutely necessary," the health alliance said.