MAHC RESUMES MANDATORY MASKING IN MOST AREAS OF MUSKOKA HOSPITALS DUE TO ‘RISING RATES OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESS’
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — “Rising rates of respiratory illness” have led Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) to return to mandatory masking requirements in most areas of the hospitals in response.
Muskoka’s hospitals president and CEO Cheryl Harrison says in a release today that: “It is with carefulness and caution that we reinstate masking requirements in order to protect everyone in the hospital during the respiratory illness season.”
“Patient and staff safety is of utmost importance. Requiring masks to be worn by patients and visitors from the moment of entry until leaving the hospital is a proven way to reduce the risks of transmission of not only COVID-19, but also influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.”
MAHC says “it is important to remember simple, proven and effective layers of protection can help to reduce the risk of becoming ill and protect those closest to you.
“Please do not visit loved ones when you are sick with any symptoms of respiratory illness, clean your hands often, and take other necessary precautions to protect yourself and others against transmission and severe illness.
Surgical masks continue to be available at entrances to MAHC facilities.
The move follows recent hospital announcements of the North Wing at SMMH in Bracebridge being closed due to a COVID outbreak; and a report that both sites in Muskoka are experiencing larger than normal patient visits of late.
EMAIL: [email protected]
30th year of ‘Local Online Journalism’
Twitter: @muskokatoday, Facebook: mclairmont1
Leave comments at end of story
SUBSCRIBE for $25 by e-transferring to [email protected]
Or go online to https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions
