Prominent regional healthcare institution, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), has recently announced a return to the masking protocols that were mandated during the peak periods of the pandemic. This decision applies to both Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu, in anticipation of the oncoming cold and flu season.
The hospital’s preventative measures extend beyond public service areas, incorporating mandatory masking regulations for non-public-facing departments. In instances where physical distancing among staff is impractical, like shared office spaces, clinical laboratories, and break rooms, the wearing of masks will be compulsory.
KHSC’s Medical Director of Infection Prevention & Control, Dr. Gerald Evans underscored the importance of these measures. He acknowledged the challenges inherent in the regulations but emphasized the overarching priority – to protect everyone at their facilities, be they patients, volunteers, employees, or learners.
The shift in protocols arrives in response to a notable rise in regional test positivity, which the hospital data indicates has more than doubled from 10.1 per cent to 21.5 per cent over a span of 10 days. However, predicting future trends based on wastewater evidence, KHSC is hopeful that this surge in COVID-19 cases could be transitory.
Presently, there are no alterations to the current family and visitor presence policy, which allows two visitors per patient at a time. Should local COVID-19 metrics continue to show growing numbers in Kingston, the hospital is ready to re-introduce additional preventative measures.
Continuous monitoring and escalation of control measures remain an integral part of KHSC’s strategy to manage respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. The hospital assures its personnel and the public that they are well-prepared and responsive to the changing dynamics of the pandemic.
Source: https://963bigfm.com/news/9992727/kingston-hospitals-bringing-back-masking-protocols/