NEWS RELEASE
COLLINGWOOD GENERAL AND MARINE HOSPITAL
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As of the date of this release, CGMH has no confirmed COVID-19 cases. CGMH management and medical staff continue to work to ensure they are prepared to accept and safely treat COVID-19 patients when they present in Collingwood.
As is the situation in many other Ontario hospitals, CGMH will postpone all elective surgeries and endoscopic procedures as of March 16th and non-urgent outpatient visits beginning Tuesday, March 17th. Patients affected by these postponements are being notified by CGMH staff and do not need to call the Hospital. These patients will be rescheduled at a later date.
All urgent and emergency surgery, endoscopy procedures and outpatient visits will continue to be performed. Obstetrical care will not be affected.
The postponement of these elective procedures is being put into place in an effort to reduce non-essential visits, decrease risk to patients and staff and to preserve supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials at CGMH continue to follow the directives of Public Health and the Ontario Government to ensure the health and safety of all patients, physicians, staff, volunteers and the community amid this pandemic.
To isolate possible COVID cases from other patients requiring emergency care, CGMH will open a COVID-19 Assessment Centre early in the week which will be housed in a tented facility outside of the Emergency Department. The purpose of the assessment centre is to quickly screen patients using the government assessment tool; to isolate possible COVID patients; and to direct other patients to the appropriate area for care.
CGMH will continue to meet the emergency care needs of its community.
The public can assist medical professionals in limiting the spread of this disease by:
• Practicing social distancing (maintaining a two metre distance from others)
• Coughing and sneezing into their elbows
• Staying home when unwell
• Avoiding all non-essential travel
• Undertaking vigorous and frequent handwashing.
Members of the public who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (1-877-721-7520) or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) before coming to CGMH.
“This situation is continually evolving. Our priority is to continue to provide excellent medical care to our community while limiting the risk to staff of COVID-19 exposure,” says CGMH President & CEO, Norah Holder. “We will continue to provide the community with the most up to date information as it becomes available. My thanks go out to the CGMH team and our community partners for their dedication and vigilance.”
