March 19, 2020

MUSKOKA HOSPITALS SEGREGATING POTENTIAL COVID CASES

MUSKOKA — Patients and visitors to Muskoka’s two hospitals who may have symptoms of the coronavirus are being segregated in separate waiting spaces as they wait further full assessment.

While Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare waits provincial approval to partner in a COVID-19 screening centre, its two sites at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge and Huntsville District Memorial Hospital are screening everyone who comes in with a basic questionnaire.

Cottage Family Health Teams in Bracebridge and Huntsville are expected to partner in those new dedicated sites.

They hope to have them open next week.

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital opened a drive-though screening centre today (March 19). It is also open for walk-ins.

Meanwhile, the hospitals have restricted the locations to only essential patient and visitor use, with exceptions for palliative care.

The main public entrance at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital are being directed around the corner to the emergency entrance where initial COVID-19 screening is taking place ahead of an anticipated dedicated site possibly next week.

**Patients and vistors are being greeted with signage to help them navigate the new norm protocol at the hospitals in Muskoka.**

**MAHC emergency room patients are being segregated in waiting rooms for futhrer assessment.**

Email Mark Clairmont at mark@muskokatoday.com

Or news@muskokatoday.com

Celebrating 25 YEARS of ‘Local Online Journalism’

Follow him at Twitter @muskokatodaily

And on Facebook at mark@muskokatodaily.com

And on Facebook at mclairmont1

Email news@muskokatoday.com

Letters to the Editor always welcome:

Let us know what you’re thinking. Click on the Comment button at the end of this story to leave your comments.

Or write a Letter to the Editor …

And … please Subscribe:

Support Your Community’s Newspaper
at https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions