COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Updates

MASKING REQUIREMENTS

 Effective June 27, 2023: GBGH has lifted universal masking requirements for patients, visitors and GBGH team members (staff, professional staff, volunteers) throughout the hospital. Masking at GBGH is now optional in most circumstances. Please refer to the following details for more information:

What Patients/Visitors Can Expect:

• GBGH has returned to pre-pandemic routine practices, meaning masks are no longer universally mandatory in all areas of the hospital for patients, visitors and GBGH team members
• GBGH team members and caregivers/visitors caring for patients on additional precautions (i.e. droplet, airborne) are still required to wear a mask and other appropriate PPE during every patient care interaction
• To reduce the spread of infection, patients with respiratory illness symptoms are required to wear a mask while moving throughout the hospital and outside their patient room
• Patients may request that staff, professional staff and volunteers wear a mask while receiving care
• Everyone entering the hospital is required to self-screen for symptoms of illness and should not enter if they are feeling unwell

GBGH will support anyone who chooses to wear a mask in the hospital and masks will continue to be available.

If the hospital experiences an increase in COVID-19 transmission/cases after removing masking requirements, restrictions may be reinstated.

 

Emergency Department

GBGH’s Emergency department is here for you if you are ill or injured and require medical attention.

THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IS NOT A COVID-19 TESTING SITE.

If you think you have COVID-19 and are not experiencing symptoms or have mild symptoms similar to a cold, please do not come into the Emergency department for testing.

Visiting the hospital for testing puts other vulnerable patients at risk of exposure to COVID-19.

 

   

Visitor and Patient Information

May 24, 2023 – Family presence is an important part of patient-centred care at GBGH. We have now returned to 24/7 Family Presence, enabling visitors to see their loved ones in hospital at any time.

• If you are visiting a patient between the following hours, you must enter the hospital through the Emergency department
  • Monday – Friday: 8 p.m. – 6:30 a.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday: 8 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• If visiting during these times, you will be asked to provide your name to the Emergency department Registration Clerk who will inform the unit of your visitation
• You will be escorted to the unit you’re visiting

All visitors must continue to:

• Self-screen for symptoms, as per the posted signage

COVID-19 policies are subject to change based on the status of the pandemic within the region GBGH serves.

When a unit is experiencing an outbreak, visitation on that unit is limited to essential caregivers only.  Please contact the unit you are visiting for more information.