In the interest of keeping out vulnerable patients and staff safe, DRHC has implemented changes at our Hospital to ensure that the community has access to safe, compassionate care.

Active Screening:

All patients, visitors, staff, volunteers, contractors or any other individuals entering the facilities must be actively screened for COVID-19 before proceeding into the building. This may include questions about any symptoms you are experiencing, if you have been exposed to COVID-19, or if you have recently tested positive to COVID-19.

Self-Service Screening Kiosks have been placed at all public entrances to the facilities. If a screener is not present, patients and visitors should follow the prompts on the touchscreen kiosk, and take their printed ticket before proceeding to their appointment.

Everyone entering the facilities must also wash their hands using the provided hand sanitizer before proceeding past the screening area.

Patients will never be denied essential care based on failing the entrance screen. If you fail the screen, you may be asked to reschedule any non-urgent appointments.

Universal Masking:

Everyone entering DRHC must don a hospital-provided medical grade face mask to cover the mouth and nose prior to entering any patient care areas.

Visitors must wear their mask at all times when inside of the Hospital. Patients may remove their masks when in their own rooms while six feet of physical distance can be maintained, however they should don their mask again when a staff member enters their room to provide direct patient care, deliver meals or housekeeping.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:

All staff, physicians, volunteers, and contractors entering DRHC must be fully vaccinated (at least 14 days past their second dose of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine) following our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

Visitors and Designated Essential Visitors must also provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 before being permitted into the facilities. Specific exceptions to this requirement for visitors may be considered for:

Pediatric patients requiring a parent/ guardian
Maternity/ Post-Partum patients
Palliative/ End-of-Life patients
Any patient who may have trouble understanding their diagnosis or care plan due to a language barriers or cognitive impairments

Please note that visitors granted an exemption to the vaccination requirements may be required to take additional precautions to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19, including additional personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements above and beyond universal masking, and/or undergoing COVID-19 testing.

Patients will never be denied care at DRHC based on their vaccination status.

Visitor Restrictions:

All visitors, including Designated Essential Visitors must:

Be fully vaccinated (at least 14 days past the final dose of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccination series)
Pass the entrance screen each day they visit the Hospital.
Don a hospital-provided face mask, which must be worn to cover the nose and mouth at all times while inside the Hospital
Report directly to the patient room of the person they are registered to see; visitors are not permitted in common areas (such as hallways, the cafeteria) or to visit other patient rooms.

The COVID-19 situation can change quickly and frequently. Infection Control measures may be ramped up or down at any time based on the level of risk in the community and in our Hospital.

COVID-19