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New masking guidelines at the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub

Ottawa, May 15, 2023 – The Aline-Chrétien Health Hub is taking one more step in the gradual and safe removal of some COVID-19 precautions.

Effective today, masks are recommended but they are no longer required in public areas outside of clinical areas, such as hallways and the main hall. This applies to staff, patients and visitors. This is a low-risk step that provides people with more flexibility and helps us recover as a community.

Staff will continue to wear masks at all times when engaged in patient care and we ask visitors to do the same. Masks (medical, clean and new) will be required at all times in clinical areas, like waiting rooms and care and consultation areas.

Similar changes are also taking effect at Hôpital Montfort, The Royal and the Queensway-Carleton Hospital. Please consult hospital websites and signage on the premises to know the exact guidelines at each facility.

This decision was not made lightly, given the importance we place on the safety of our staff and patients, especially those whose medical conditions make them more vulnerable to infection. The decision was made after monitoring various indicators to determine the right time to make changes:

  • Wastewater indicators have stabilized.
  • The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has decreased and there are very few ICU admissions for many weeks.
  • The number of COVID-19 outbreaks in our region has also decreased.

Given all this information, we are ready to take this next step in mask use. We will carefully monitor hospital and public health indicators and adjust as necessary.

We continue to recommend masking, especially in high-risk areas such as healthcare facilities, and to provide safe, quality care.

About the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub

The Aline-Chrétien Health Hub is a unique and innovative model that brings a wide range of specialized and community healthcare services under one roof. It is a partnership between Bruyère, CHEO, Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa, Home and Community Care Support Services Champlain, Hôpital Montfort, Ottawa Public Health and Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa. With the Hub, residents of Ottawa East, from newborns to seniors, have access to integrated programs close to home, focused on their needs, and offered in both official languages.

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