COVID-19 information and updates

General COVID-19 Information:

Where do I find the most current information about the Renfrew County vaccination rollout?

For up-to-date information about COVID-19 vaccination clinics, please visit the Renfrew County and District Health Unit website.

What is my next step if I think I may have COVID-19?

Complete the Government of Ontario’s online COVID-19 self-assessment tool. If testing is recommended, access Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre’s online booking system here or call the 24/7 phone line at 1-844-727-6404 .

The Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre:

What is the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre?

The Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (VTAC) is a pandemic healthcare service that helps to reduce the demand on Emergency Departments and provide residents, who do not have a family physician or cannot access their family physician, with the appropriate level of care when they have any health concern (including concerns related to COVID-19).

VTAC also delivers COVID-19 testing in the community (i.e. drive-thru testing clinics).

Who can access it?

Any resident.

How can I access VTAC?

For a physician assessment, call 1-844-727-6404
For COVID-19 testing, call 1-844-727-6404 to book your COVID-19 test (if eligible).
Have your OHIP card ready

Where can I learn more?

Visit www.rcvtac.ca

Clinical services impact:

Which ARH programs, clinics etc. are currently closed due to COVID-19?

Clinical services and community programs are currently open with safety measures in place.

Visitor and essential caregiver information:

Can I visit my loved one in the Hospital ?

Effective May 18, 2022:

Inpatient Unit

Each patient can have two individuals visit each day. The individuals may be general visitors or an essential care partner and visitor (exceptions for patients who are at end-of-life).
General visitors do not need to be designated.
Visitors are required to be fully vaccinated and to pass screening before entering.
Essential caregivers will be given a badge to wear to clearly identify their role.

Emergency Department

Each patient may have one essential caregiver.

Outpatient Clinics

Each patient may have one essential caregiver
Obstetrical ultrasound patients can have one care partner accompany them to appointment. The care partner must be vaccinated with at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is there a mandatory vaccination policy for Hospital visitors and essential caregivers?

As part of our ongoing efforts to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of our patients, Arnprior Regional Health, along with other hospitals in the Champlain region, has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy for our Hospital visitors and essential caregivers effective October 15, 2021.

Under the new policy, all Hospital visitors and essential caregivers will need to be fully vaccinated (at least 14 days since the second dose) in order to enter the Hospital, unless they qualify under one of the following exceptions:

Individuals under the age of 12.
Those who clearly indicate they have a medical exemption.
Individuals visiting patients at the end-of-life.
Parents of children who are receiving care.
Individuals who are essential to accompany patients to appointments or participate in care planning discussions.
Other critical or urgent circumstances requiring family presence.

In alignment with the new Ontario vaccination passport system, visitors and essential caregivers will be required to show proof of vaccination along with photo identification.

Download your vaccination receipt here.

Can I visit my loved one at the Grove?

The Ministry of Long-Term Care has begun to gradually ease the temporary enhanced measures in response to the Omicron variant. Below is an outline of the current visitor and essential caregiver access.

General visitors:

Effective March 14, 2022:

All general visitors, including children under 5 years of age, can resume visits. General visitors, with the exception of children under 5 years of age, will need to follow The Grove’s vaccination policy. They must always wear a medical procedure mask during visits.
Each resident may have up to four visitors (including designated caregivers) at one time.
All limits on outdoor visits have been lifted and The Grove has returned to their regular practices for using available outdoor spaces for socializing.

Designated caregivers:

Residents can designate a maximum of four caregivers. Two caregivers can visit a resident at one time.
To enter the home, caregivers must provide proof they have receive their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or a medical exemption.
Complete regular COVID-19 rapid tests on site at the Grove
Pass active screening and have temperature taken before entering the home
Must always wear a medical procedure mask during visits
Can only visit family member (not other residents)
Can have physical contact with loved one, but must maintain a two-metre distance from all other residents and staff

Social absences:

Effective March 14, 2022:

Residents can go on social day absences (regardless of vaccination status).
Residents can go on a social overnight absences (regardless of vaccination status).
Testing of residents returning from day or overnight absences at established intervals will continue until further notice. This is in order to identify as early as possible any individual who may become infected with COVID-19 in order to reduce transmission in the home.

Coming to ARH and active screening:

If I’m coming to the Hospital or Grove, do I need a mask?

Yes. All individuals coming to the Hospital or the Grove will be provided with a medical procedure mask that they will need to wear during their visit.

Is ARH actively screening at entrances?

At both the Hospital and the Grove, we are actively screening everyone (including staff) upon arrival at each open entrance in order to best protect our patients, residents, clients and staff.

What are my next steps if I failed active screening?

You must self-isolate and if you meet the current eligibility criteria, please book a PCR test.

Hospital parking:

How has parking at the hospital been impacted?

Regular paid parking is in effect at the Hospital .

COVID-19 Public Resources:

Public Health Ontario resources

How to practice social distancing