Days after one of its workers tested positive for COVID-19, Woodstock Hospital is no longer allowing visitors inside.
The "no visitor" policy was announced late Thursday and will remain in effect until further notice.
There are a few exceptions being made for critically ill patients and children. Any child admitted to the emergency department will be allowed to have one guardian with them. Critically ill, palliative, and maternity ward patients can have a single visitor. Other exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, according to hospital officials.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation. Woodstock Hospital is working collaboratively with our health care partners to monitor, assess and implement measures to flatten the curve and slow down the spread of infections,” Woodstock Hospital President Perry Lang said in a statement.
The hospital has also begun ramping down all non-essential services including non-emergent surgeries, clinics, and outpatient procedures in order to free up resources and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Patients affected by the change will be notified by their doctor's office.
On Tuesday, a Brant County woman who is employed by the hospital tested positive for the virus. She had returned to her job March 9 following a recent trip to Mexico. The woman in her 40s worked for two days before becoming symptomatic during her shift on March 11. She was immediately sent home to self-isolate.
In light of the incident, the hospital has instructed all staff who have recently travelled to self-isolate at home for 14 days.
Hospitals in Brantford, St. Marys, Seaforth, Stratford, and Clinton are also no longer allowing visitors.
Restricted visitor access announced by the London Health Sciences Centre on Tuesday remains in place at hospitals within the city. Under the restrictions, only one visitor is being permitted per adult patient and two visitors per pediatric patient. Visitors under the age of 18 have been barred for the time being. Those who do visit the hospital are being screened for symptoms upon arrival.