COVID-19 Information

Windsor Regional Hospital's COVID-19 Daily Update

Last Updated: March 19, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

WRH COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE (SINCE MARCH 16, 2020)  

Total # seen in the Assessment Centre  191,331 
Total # swabbed in the Assessment Centre  183,979 
 

WRH IN-PATIENT COVID-19 CASES

Current total # of in-patients in the hospital, including the ICU, with confirmed COVID-19
(fully vaccinated) (partially vaccinated) (unvaccinated)
 29 (25) (2) (2) 
How many of the above in-patients # are being primarily treated for COVID-19
(fully vaccinated) (partially vaccinated) (unvaccinated)
 15 (15) (0) (0) 
Current total # of ICU in-patients with confirmed COVID-19
(fully vaccinated) (partially vaccinated) (unvaccinated)
 1 (1) (0) (0) 
How many of the above ICU # are being primarily treated for COVID-19
(fully vaccinated) (partially vaccinated) (unvaccinated)
 1 (1) (0) (0) 
Total # of patients deceased in the hospital from COVID-19
Updated: Mar. 14, 2023
  602  
Unvaccinated is defined as not having any dose or between 0-13 days after administration of the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Partially vaccinated is defined as 14 days or more after the first dose of a 2-dose series COVID-19 vaccine, or between 0-13 days after administration of the second dose

Fully vaccinated is defined as 14 days or more after receipt of the second dose of a 2-dose series COVID-19 vaccine.

NOTE: This data is required to be submitted by WRH to the Ministry of Health. It does not identify the patient’s underlying age or health condition due to privacy concerns (ie immune-compromised etc) In addition, this data identifies those in the hospital who are COVID-19 positive and still infectious. Many patients remain in acute care post their infectious period and are not included in these numbers any longer. View provincial hospitalizations data here.

For the total number of Windsor and Essex County residents/patients testing positive for COVID-19 (which includes hospital(s) patients testing positive for COVID-19) go to Windsor Essex Public Health Information.

Vaccination

 

 

ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER REQUIREMENTS & RESTRICTIONS

EFFECTIVE at 12:01 am on July 1st, 2022, any Essential Caregiver of an in-patient or attendance with a patient for an out-patient procedure will be required to perform self-screening for the following:

  • Fever/chills
  • New/worse cough
  • New/worse shortness of breath
  • Decrease/loss of smell or taste
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose/nasal congestion
  • Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
  • Tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 10 days
  • Exposure to a COVID-19 positive case in the previous 10 days (without a mask)
  • Have been told to quarantine by a physician, PHAC, CBSA or the Public Health unit

Visitors should be prepared to provide proof of:

  1. Their COVID-19 vaccination evidencing 14 days has passed since their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

    OR
  2. A negative community-based PCR (polymerase chain reaction test) or antigen test result taken within 3 days before their visit.

No visitation is allowed for patients with active confirmed or suspected COVID receiving an aerosol-generating procedure- Resolved cases may have Essential Caregivers as identified below. Limited exemptions are available for parents/guardians of a child with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER RESTRICTIONS

EFFECTIVE July 1st, 2022 WRH will allow TWO essential caregivers at the bedside at a time within the allotted visitation.

For palliative patients, 2 essential caregivers at a time, may visit 24/7 4 essential caregivers at a time, 24/7 for a patient that is actively dying/end of life, or having a planned withdrawal of life support. This may include visitors less than 18 years of age when accompanied by an adult.

Some limitations may apply to the number of visitors allowed at one time based on the clinical space restrictions.

All visitors must wear a medical-grade mask at ALL times and in ALL areas of the hospital. If visitors do not have one they will be provided with a medical-grade mask at the entrance. Cloth masks by themselves will not be allowed.

All visitors may be required to eye protection while visiting a patient. Face shields will be provided to visitors on the unit if required. Please refer to our policy regarding these issues.

No visitation is allowed for patients with active confirmed or suspected COVID-19, that are receiving aerosol-generating medical procedures including but not exclusive to non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP, CPAP) or high flow oxygen (AIRVO, Optiflow) due to the extremely high risk to patients, staff, and visitors. Please refer to the nursing unit for clarification. Virtual visits for these patients will be supported using technology such as iPads. Resolved cases may have visitors as identified in this policy.

ESSENTIAL CAREGIVERS WILL BE RESTRICTED IF THEY:

  • Are under the age of 18, unless they are the parent/guardian of the patient or are accompanied by an adult visiting a palliative/end-of-life patient.
  • Are symptomatic
  • Have been outside of Canada in the last 14 days and have been advised to quarantine upon their arrival.
  • Have tested positive for COVID-19 (and are not resolved cases)
  • Have had close contact with a confirmed case or probable case of COVID-19
  • Have had close contact with a person with an acute respiratory illness who has been outside of Canada in the 14 days before their symptom onset

VISITATION HOURS

  • 10 am to 8 pm (except Critical Care units)
  • 10 am to 6 pm, and 8 pm to 10 pm (Critical Care units only)
  • For Mental Health and Renal Dialysis please see below

 

DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC EXCEPTIONS:
  • Cancer Program - For scheduled outpatient cancer appointments with a provider, the patient may have two essential caregivers accompany them. For treatment appointments in the systemic therapy suite, for radiation therapy or to attend the Cancer Program Lab or Diagnostic Imaging, the patient may have one essential caregiver accompany them.
  • Emergency Department - 24 hours, one Essential Caregiver per patient- may not enter until the patient has been brought in from the waiting room unless the patient requires support due to cognitive, mobility or other disability or is pediatric- in this event, one Essential Caregiver may accompany in the ED waiting room. Department will contact when Essential Caregivers can enter.
  • Lab and Diagnostic Imaging - Patients with cognitive, mobility, or other disability, is pediatric or their appointment is after 1700 will be allowed one Essential Caregiver who will remain with the patient for the entire visit or in a space designated by the clinical team if a procedure requires it. Obstetrical and Cancer Program patients may have one essential caregiver attend for support.
  • Labour and Delivery/Postpartum care - Two essential caregivers may be at the bedside at a time, including the use of any private support services such as a doula (however, only 1 person is permitted during a C-Section delivery). Only one person (the primary support person) may stay at the bedside overnight in postpartum care (8:00 pm - 8:00 am).
  • Obstetrical Triage - One Essential Caregiver with a mom presenting to OB Triage.
  • Maternal Newborn Clinic/Women's Health Clinic - One Essential Caregiver with a mom going to scheduled appointments at the Maternal Newborn Clinic or Women's Health Clinic.
  • NICU - 4 visitors maximum. (2 primary/2 additional) One of the primary must be a parent. 2 allowed at the bedside at any one time. Must be the same 4 people no switching. No children/siblings under the age of 18. The 2 primary visitors are allowed in the unit 24/7. The 2 additional can only visit during regular hospital visitation hours.
  • Paediatrics - 4 visitors maximum. (2 primary/2 additional). One of the primary must be a parent 2 allowed at the bedside at any one time. Must be the same 4 people no switching. No children/siblings under the age of 18. One of the primary visitors may stay overnight. The 2 additional can only visit during regular hospital visitation hours
  • Mental Health Department - Two Essential Caregivers may be chosen with 1 Essential Caregiver per patient for 30 minutes between 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm. To avoid overcrowding in common areas, we have limited visitation to a maximum of 4 Essential Caregivers being allowed into 3N and 3S and a maximum of 2 Essential Caregivers into PICU at a time. Visits must take place in the designated common area and are not allowed in patient rooms.
  • Renal Dialysis Program - In-center dialysis - outpatients (Bell/JM/ESHC): 8:30 am - 10:00 am, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, and 7:00 - 8:30 pm (1 fully vaccinated Essential Caregiver per patient). In-patients in JM - to follow hospital visitation hours. Home Programs and MCKC - 1 fully vaccinated Essential Caregiver with patient per clinic visit.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE ABOVE

If the patient in labour is confirmed or suspected of COVID-19:

  • Only one Essential Caregiver may be with the patient throughout the patient's stay (no alternating Essential Caregivers)
  • The Essential Caregiver remains with the patient in the same physical environment throughout the care delivery
  • The clinical team is able to provide Essential Caregiver with a safe environment and teaching necessary for infection control
  • The Essential Caregiver is masked and reports to Public Health as they may be required to self-isolate, depending on test results

READ MORE

 
 

ADULT & PAEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY CARE CLINIC (APRCC)

For ALL RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES such as COVID-19, Influenza, and Respiratory Symptoms.

The following people are eligible for a PCR at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre:

SYMPTOMATIC people who fall into one of the following groups:

  • Patient-facing healthcare workers
  • Staff, volunteers, residents/inpatients, essential care providers, and visitors in highest-risk settings
    • Highest risk settings include: hospitals (including complex continuing care facilities and paramedic services), and congregate living settings with medically and socially
  • Vulnerable individuals living in Long-Term Care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, correctional institutions
  • Symptomatic people aged 60 and older
  • Symptomatic people aged 18 years of age and older who have one or more comorbidity that puts them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
  • Symptomatic people aged 18 years of age and older who are unvaccinated or have not completed their primary vaccine series
  • Symptomatic people aged 18 years of age and older who completed their primary vaccine series AND received their last COVID-19 vaccine dose more than 6 months ago AND have not had a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past 6 months
  • Symptomatic people who are immunocompromised
  • Symptomatic patients seeking emergency medical care or other outpatients for whom a diagnostic test may guide clinical management, at the discretion of the treating clinician
  • Symptomatic people 18 years and older with one or more of these high risk conditions
      • obesity (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2)
      • cancer
      • cerebrovascular disease
      • diabetes
      • chronic liver disease
      • HIV infection
      • mental health disorders
      • heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
      • chronic respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis
      • smoking, current or former
      • cerebral palsy
      • intellectual disability
      • use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants
      • sickle cell disease
      • chronic kidney disease
      • Tuberculosis
      • solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
  • Home and community care workers
  • Household members of staff in the highest-risk settings and patient-facing healthcare workers
  • International Agriculture Workers in congregate living settings
  • Other outpatients for whom a diagnostic test is required for clinical management, at the discretion of the treating clinician (AC Physician’s discretion)
  • Pregnant people
  • People who are under-housed or experiencing homelessness
  • First responders, including fire, police and paramedics

SYMPTOMATIC/ASYMPTOMATIC people:

  • Individuals who are from a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis community, and/or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, and Métis and their household members
  • Individuals travelling into First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities for work.
  • On admission/transfer to or from the hospital or congregate living setting.
  • Close contact and people in the context of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in the highest-risk settings as directed by the local public health unit
  • Individuals, and one accompanying caregiver, with written prior approval for out-of-country medical services from the General Manager, OHIP
  • Asymptomatic testing in hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes and other congregate living settings and institutions as per provincial

 

Even if you do not meet the criteria above, you should still visit if you have COVID-19 symptoms and any of the following apply to you:
  • You are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and need to get tested and assessed for COVID-19 treatment
  • You have been directed to visit a COVID-19 clinical assessment centre by your primary care provider
  • You feel that you cannot safely monitor your COVID-19 symptoms at home and need to be seen by a healthcare provider

You do not need to have a positive test result to visit. You should bring a list of your medications and a list of any important medical conditions.

If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or confusion, call 911 or go to the emergency department.

LEARN MORE

 
 

PATIENT, VISITOR, AND STAFF SCREENING

Windsor Regional Hospital is limiting entrances and screening all individuals entering the hospital.

All staff are encouraged to download the staff screening app to complete the screening form and receive clearance before coming to work. 

READ MORE & VIEW ACCESS MAPS

 
 

COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION:

Learn more about the vaccine and how it can help protect you and your family from COVID-19.

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

If I am informed I am positive what will I be asked to do?

SELF ISOLATE
  • Do not go to work, school, or other public places.
  • Stay home unless you require urgent medical care.
  • Do not use public transportation, taxis or rideshares.

Avoid contact with others

  • As much as possible, stay in a separate room away from other people in your home and use a separate bathroom if you have one.
  • Keep a distance of at least 2 metres from others at all times.
  • No visitors unless essential (e.g., care providers); inform them you are positive.
  • Make sure that shared rooms have good airflow (e.g., open windows).

Keep your distance

  • If you are in a room with other people, keep a distance of at least 2 metres and wear a mask or face covering that covers your nose and mouth.
  • Anyone in the same room as you should wear a mask.

 

SYMPTOM MONITORING:
  • Keep track of your symptoms including the date each symptom started and resolved.
  • Seek medical care if your symptoms worsen; call 911 if you have difficulty breathing.

 

COMPILE A LIST OF PLACES VISITED & PEOPLE CASE WAS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITHIN THE PAST 14 DAYS
(include dates and times where possible):
  • All places visited (work, school, restaurant, travel, social gatherings, etc.)
  • Include addresses if possible.
  • Include all household members (including roommates, care providers in the home, etc.)
  • Identify individuals that spent more than 15 minutes with the case and less than 2 metres distance, while not wearing personal protective equipment (e.g., mask and eye protection).

How has WRH prepared for COVID-19?

Windsor Regional Hospital continues to monitor developments regarding the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, including staying up to date on the latest guidelines and information from Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and our local Public Health unit. We remain vigilant in protecting our staff, patients, and visitors through rigorous infection and prevention controls, including screening of patients upon arrival for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and the implementation of visitor restrictions.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19, and what should I do to prevent the spread of the illness?

Please see the links below:

When should I seek medical care?

If you are an otherwise healthy individual and are not experiencing any serious symptoms, do NOT come to the hospital emergency department to check whether you have contracted COVID-19. Coming to the ED risks transmitting the virus to others.

Most cases of the coronavirus tend to be mild, contact your primary care provider, medical clinic or the Windsor-Essex Public Health Unit:

  • Call the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit at 519-258-2146 ext. 1420 within 24 hours of arriving in Canada if you plan on traveling to Windsor and Essex County.
  • Call the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit at 519-258-2146 ext. 1420 if you are experiencing symptoms of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
  • Call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 (24 hours, seven days a week).

EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS IN ADULTS:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion Severe or persistent vomiting

You should call your health care provider immediately if you experience these symptoms and you:

  • are pregnant;
  • have heart or lung disease;
  • have any other chronic health problem that requires regular medical attention;
  • live in a remote or isolated community;
  • are elderly or frail; or
  • have an illness or are receiving treatments - for example, for diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS - that might affect your immune system.

What if my child seems very sick?

Call for emergency care or take your child to a doctor right away if your child (of any age) has any of the warning or emergency signs below:
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish or gray skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids (not going to the bathroom or not making as much urine as they normally do)
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash
  • Has other conditions (like heart or lung disease, diabetes, or asthma) and develops flu symptoms, including a fever and/or cough.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Surgical masks are provided at all screening desks.  Every patient and visitor will be asked to wear a mask upon entry to the hospital.  

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Guidance On Personal Protective Equipment and Ethical Frameworks

COVID-19 Testing Guidelines, Treatment of In-Patients, LTC Residents and Healthcare Workers

LTC Homes and Hospital Staff Placement

COVID-19 HR Recommendations

St. Clair Campus

Town Hall Meetings

COVID-19 Town Hall Update - March 13, 2020

President and CEO David Musyj and VP Karen Riddell provide an update to WRH staff on the efforts to protect the public, patients, and staff from the potential transmission of COVID-19.

View speaking notes from the event.

 

Update on Internal and External COVID-19 Preparations: March 4, 2020

Documents

Coping With COVID