Kingston, ON – Sept. 28, 2023 – In response to rising COVID-19 prevalence in southeastern Ontario, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) has re-introduced mandatory masking for patients, staff and visitors across all public facing areas of Kingston General Hospital site and Hotel Dieu Hospital site, effective immediately.
Mandatory masking is also required in non-public facing departments where physical distancing between staff is not possible, such as clinical laboratories, shared offices or break rooms.
Throughout the pandemic, KHSC’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team has monitored local COVID-19 community prevalence markers including COVID-19 test positivity, outbreaks in congregate living settings, and wastewater detection. Current regional data indicates that test positivity has risen to from 10.1% to 21.5% in the past ten days, however, wastewater evidence suggests that this could be a short-lived rise in COVID-19 cases.
At this time there is no change to the family and visitor presence policy, which currently allows for two visitors to a patient’s bedside at any time. Further control measures will be re-introduced should local COVID-19 markers continue to rise in Kingston. Monitoring and escalating control measures continues to be part of KHSC’s respiratory response plan.
“We understand that these can be challenging decisions, however, we must ensure a safe environment for every person who comes here to receive care, work, volunteer, or learn,” says Dr. Gerald Evans, Medical Director of Infection Prevention & Control at KHSC.
To help reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19, KHSC encourages everyone who is eligible to get a shot of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, get an annual flu shot, practice regular handwashing, wear a mask when appropriate and stay home when sick.
For more information visit www.kingstonhsc.ca
