Hospital has tested more than 2200 people; now providing Mobile Assessment+ Response Team service to support long-term care partners

With the province of Ontario in a declared state of emergency, all pandemic measures at PRHC remain in place. Access to the hospital remains limited, with screening at public and staff entrances, and visitors are restricted. Non-urgent appointments and procedures continue to be on hold while work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community and across the province continues. If your elective appointment has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and your symptoms get worse, please contact your care provider.

We want to thank the people of our community for the many wonderful ways they have shown their support in recent weeks, and for their efforts to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, cleaning their hands, and practicing social distancing. Words cannot express how grateful we are to have this community standing behind us during this unprecedented time.

PRHC reminds our community that people who require emergency care should come to the Emergency Department, which includes children. Waiting too long to seek medical care can have negative consequences for your health. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, share this information with the hospital’s screeners so the appropriate precautions can be taken. PRHC has enhanced measures in place to help keep our patients, visitors and healthcare workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week, PRHC launched the Mobile Assessment+ Response Team to support our long-term care partners by providing a single point of contact at the hospital who will help to coordinate in-person and virtual resources as they are needed. These hospital supports include on-site COVID-19 clinical assessments and testing for residents with symptoms, education and training on the use and conservation of personal protective equipment (PPE), access to pandemic-specific educational materials and additional supports in the event of an outbreak.

PRHC’s leaders, healthcare professionals and staff have worked to ensure we are as prepared as possible to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past several weeks PRHC has:

  • Opened an on-site COVID-19 Assessment Centre and tested more than 2200 people. The Assessment Centre can be reached directly by phone at 705-876-5086
  • Worked to create additional acute and critical care capacity within the hospital
  • Converted the Green Zone in the Emergency Department and a 36-bed inpatient unit to care for patients with respiratory illness
  • Initiated a staff redeployment centre
  • Ramped up education for healthcare professionals and staff to align with our pandemic response
  • Worked with our partners in the community and region to coordinate our pandemic approach

Anyone who would like to contribute to the hospital’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraged to make a donation to the PRHC Foundation. Donors can also send a special thank you message to PRHC’s doctors, nurses and staff. Visit www.prhcfoundation.ca or call 705-876-5000.

“This incredible group of people at PRHC have worked tirelessly to be as prepared as we possibly can be for the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, VP, Chief Medical Executive and Chief of Staff. “I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with this team, who continue to provide our patients with care, and who are ready to ensure our community partners have access to the supports and resources they need to care for their residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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For more information:
Michelene Ough
Director, Communications
mough@prhc.on.ca