Outbreaks

Outbreaks and Visitation

As a result of a detectable increase in respiratory virus-related illness in our community, the Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) is moving from Green (Low) Risk Status to Yellow (Medium) Risk, which includes reinstating its mandatory masking policy, effective Monday, January 27th, 2025.

TADH Staff, Physicians, Volunteers and Contractors
All staff, physicians and contractors are required to wear a hospital-approved mask in all areas (clinical and non-clinical) of the TADH site and TADH offsite locations. Additional personal protective equipment may be required for patients under additional precautions or on units experiencing an outbreak. Signage is clearly posted on units and patient rooms to inform all those who enter about PPE requirements.

Patients, Designated Care Partners and Members of the Public

All patients, designated care partners (members of the public) must wear a mask upon entering the TADH main site and/or TADH offsite facility at St. Mary’s Gardens.

Mandatory masking does not apply to children under the age of two and for those who are unable to wear a face mask as a result of a medical condition or disability.

Temporary removal of a mask is permitted where necessary for the following purposes:

  • Admitted patients while in their assigned room;
  • Actively engaging in athletic or fitness activity;
  • Consuming food or drink; or
  • For any emergency or medical purpose.

Visitor Restrictions:
TADH is reverting to Designated Care Partner (DCP) visitation, with two DCPs permitted per patient. It is recommended that only one DCP visits the bedside at a time. Masking is required by DCPs at all times during the visit.
Exemptions for end of life and exceptional circumstances continue to be considered. Please contact a member of you or your loved ones care team to discuss.
Respiratory viruses are continue to circulate in our community and the health and safety of our patients, designated care partners, staff and physicians is our highest priority. We appreciate your continued patience, understanding and help in keeping those in TADH safe.

There is currently:
  • An outbreak declared on Surgical.
    • Visitors are restricted to 1 Designated Care Partner per patient.
    • Please follow all posted signage if visiting the unit, including masking requirements.
    • We continue to work closely with the Northeastern Public Health Unit to ensure the continued safety of our patients, staff, and physicians.

For General Visitation Guidelines including visiting hours, please see the Visitor Information page.

Alternatives to the Emergency Department
For non-life-threatening health concerns
  • Access the North East Region Virtual Care Clinic, a free online service. To schedule an appointment, visit https://www.nevirtualcare.ca/.
  • Get connected with a registered nurse day or night for free by calling or texting 811 (formerly Telehealth Ontario). More information, including a live chat feature can be found here: https://health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/home
  • For urgent medication refills: Call your primary care provider or pharmacist to provide an emergency refill of your prescription.
  • Find other services in the Cochrane District by using North East Healthline.
Mental Health Help
  • For help with a mental health crisis: Contact TADH’s Crisis Line at 705-264-3003 (available 24/7).
  • Northeastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) Crisis services for youth and families who are risk of harm resulting from suicidal ideation, self-injurious behaviors or homicidal ideation. Call 705-360-7100 (available 24/7).
  • The Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 686868 or texting CONNECT to 686868.
  • The Suicide Crisis Helpline can be called or texted at 988 (available 24/7) for trauma-informed and culturally informed support for anyone thinking of suicide, or who is worried about someone they know.
  • For First Nations Inuit and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community based services, call Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free). This service is available 24/7 and is offered in English, French and by request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
For community and social services:
  • Call 211. This service is available 24/7.
For home and community care support services
  • To refer yourself or others for home care services, call Ontario Health atHome at 310-2222 (no area coded needed).

At Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) our priority is keeping patients, visitors, and staff safe when an outbreak occurs. TADH supports patient and family-centered care. Family members and friends contribute to the healing process of the patient; as a hospital we recognize how family and friends can comfort patients providing emotional, social, physical and spiritual support. However, when an outbreak occurs, visitation needs to be balanced with preventing the spread of illness within the hospital and to the community.

This page will be updated with the latest information on outbreaks and how they impact potential visitors to the hospital.

What is an outbreak?

An outbreak is declared when a contagious infection is identified on an inpatient unit, making some patients sick. Depending on the type of infection, some or all patients on the outbreak unit will require isolation to stop the spread. This will impact how visitation.

What does it mean for visitors?

Depending on the nature of an outbreak, restrictions will be put in place to prevent the spread of illness. These can include restricting the number of visitors to patients in a medical unit under outbreak to 1 Designated Care Partner per patient and the requirement for personal protective equipment such as masks

Temporary visitation restrictions for visitors and/or Designated Care Partners may be put into effect at anytime during an outbreak.

Designated Care Partners are important members of the patient’s care team providing essential support. They are identified by the patient or substitute decision maker and are usually family members or people of significance in the life of the patient. They work with the healthcare team to provide care, care planning and decision making.

During an outbreak, the hospital may restrict visitors to 1 Designated Care Partner.

When visiting a patient in an isolation room, to prevent the spread of infection, do not:

  • Eat or drink in the patient’s room
  • Share the patient’s food
  • Sit on the patient’s bed
  • Use the patient’s personal articles including utensils, glasses, cups etc.
  • Use the patient’s bathroom or sink
  • Open curtains in between patients if you are visiting a patient in a shared room
  • Remember to keep 6 feet apart from others in the room

Please do:

  • Follow all directed guidance on masking and other personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions.
  • Remember that cleaning your hands is one of the most important ways to reduce infections, including when entering and exiting the room.

To prevent your family member or friend from becoming sicker and to prevent the spread of sickness to other patients in hospital, do not visit if:

  1. You are not feeling well or have any new or worsening symptoms:
  • fever and/or chills
  • cough
  • headache
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath
  • extreme fatigue
  • runny nose/nasal congestion
  • nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  • muscle aches/joint pain
  • decreased or loss of sense of taste or smell
  1. You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days.
  2. You have had close contact with a person who has COVID-19 in the last 10 days.
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