The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is bringing back public health measures for visitors as the annual viral season begins. Starting Monday, November 17, the hospital will require masks in waiting areas and during clinical interactions and will enforce new limits on who can visit patients.
New Visitor Restrictions and Mask Policy
Under the new guidelines, only one caregiver will be permitted to accompany a patient to appointments. In a significant change, no visitors under the age of 12, including siblings of patients, will be allowed inside the hospital or its community locations. A hospital spokesperson, Karl Oczkowski, stated that these precautions are essential for reducing the spread of viruses and protecting the vulnerable individuals within the CHEO community.
Preparing for a Severe Viral Season
These measures come in anticipation of what experts predict will be a challenging viral season. Influenza is expected to be more severe than usual, a pattern observed in the Southern Hemisphere. Cases of COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are also projected to increase. To prepare for a potential surge in patients, CHEO will open an overflow unit next week. Tammy DiGiovanni, Senior Vice-President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive at CHEO, confirmed, "We know it is just around the corner."
The RSV Vaccine: A 'Game Changer'
There is a key tool in this year's fight against severe illness. For the second year, an RSV vaccine is available for infants, which DiGiovanni called a "real game changer." The vaccine made a significant difference last year, with approximately 70% of newborns receiving it. The hospital is aiming for an 85% infant vaccination rate this season to further curb serious RSV cases. Despite this advantage, officials urge the public to take personal precautions, including masking when sick, hand washing, staying home with symptoms, and getting influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. RSV vaccines are also available for infants, adults 75 and older, and higher-risk individuals aged 60 and above.
