Cornwall Community Hospital Safely Suspends COVID-19 Restrictions

Hospital will maintain mandatory masking requirements to protect staff, physicians and patients

June 27, 2022 – Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) has safely suspended several COVID-19 restrictions as the number of reported cases continues to decline and hospital admissions remain low in Eastern Ontario.

Notably CCH has returned to its pre-pandemic open visiting policy, lifting the requirement to book visitation appointments. The number of people welcomed at the bedside is determined in collaboration with the patient, family and care team. Visitors are also no longer required to provide proof of vaccination.

Screeners will no longer be at entrances to actively screen people entering the hospital after June 30. Anyone coming to CCH should conduct a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms before arriving and should stay home if they are feeling unwell, unless they require emergency care.

Several common areas in the hospital will also reopen to patients and visitors including the Cafeteria and Family Caregiver Centre.

At this time, masking requirements will remain in place for all staff, physicians, patients (as tolerated), and visitors.

“With the improved state of the pandemic, we can now safely suspend most COVID-19 restrictions without compromising the safety of our patients, staff and physicians. These decisions are based on guidance from public health authorities and are in line with hospitals across the region,” says Jeanette Despatie, CCH President and Chief Executive Officer. “We thank the community for following our infection control measures and we continue to ask that people wear a mask and remain polite and respectful with staff when coming to the hospital,” adds Despatie.

CCH will continue to monitor the pandemic and may re-introduce restrictions should they be necessary.

As of July 8, the COVID-19 Assessment Centre will be moving from the Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre at 850 McConnell Avenue to the Main Entrance at CCH. The hospital’s Main Entrance can be accessed by parking on the south side of the building at 840 McConnell Avenue. Public PCR testing continues to only be available for individuals who meet specific criteria, by appointment only, by calling 343-475-0160.

For more information on visitation guidelines, please visit www.cornwallhospital.ca/en/visitinghours.