COVID-19 information and updates

*For the most up-to-date information and news, please visit Public Health Ontario here.

General COVID-19 Information:

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

For up-to-date information about the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and details about how to book an appointment if you are eligible, 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 .

How can I protect myself and my family from COVID-19?

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just washed your hands with soap
• Cover you cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
• Stay home if you are sick
• Practice physical distancing
• Wear a mask or face covering in enclosed public spaces

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, access online booking here. If you cannot access the online system, call 1-844-727-6404 to book your COVID-19 test.
• Have your OHIP card ready
• A medical receptionist will take your details, book your testing time and if necessary, arrange for a physician or nurse practitioner to contact you via telephone.

How does VTAC provide care?

VTAC is a virtual solution that allows nurse practitioners, physicians and/or community paramedics to assess and manage health concerns (including COVID-19) in multiple ways depending on a person’s needs.

This includes:

• Phone appointments
• Video appointments
• In-home assessments and diagnostic testing by community paramedics
• Remote monitoring and alerting and if necessary, escalation to a designated team of physicians and allied health professionals for the management of patients with COVID-19
• Drive-thru COVID-19 testing at locations across Renfrew County
• Referral to other services including mental health support

Where can I learn more?

Visit www.rcvtac.ca

Clinical services impact:

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

All clinical services are currently open with safety measures in place.

Community programs, including the SALC, Men’s Shed and Adult Day Program, will be closed for in-person programming effective April 3, 2021 as part of the provincewide shutdown.

What is the impact to non-urgent surgeries, procedures, clinics or diagnostic tests?

Clinical care and services (including elective procedures, non-urgent appointments and diagnostic imaging) continue to be offered to patients and clients with safety measures in place.

Visitor information:

Can I visit my loved one in the Hospital?

Given the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19 in our province and in Renfrew County, we have received direction from Renfrew County and District Health Unit to increase hospital visiting restrictions.  This direction stands with the announcement of the provincewide shutdown effective on April 3, 2021.

1. Visits are limited to one designated visitor per hospital inpatient.

2. For patients nearing end of life, two designated visitors per patient will be permitted. Exceptions are made at the discretion of the Hospital.

3. It is strongly recommended that families appoint a designated visitor from Renfrew County and District because Ottawa and the other neighboring regions are in a more precarious COVID-19 situation than our region.

Can I visit my loved one at the Grove?

As per the direction from Renfrew County and District Health Unit, each resident may have two designated caregivers who can visit one at a time.

Outdoor visits:

• Window visits are currently being accommodated.

Indoor visits:

• Indoor visits are currently not permitted

Designated caregivers:

• 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 two metres distance from all other residents and staff

Coming to ARH and active screening:

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

Yes. All individuals coming to the Hospital 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 Grove Nursing Home and the Hospital, 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 call VTAC to book a COVID-19 test at 1-844-727-6404.

When will active screening measures be lifted? 

At this time, there is no clear timeline. ARH will continue to follow the guidance of Public Health and the Ontario Ministry of Health to determine when it is safe to end active screening.

Which hospital entrances are open?

Open entrances on the weekend:

• Entrance D (opened from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
• Entrance E (Emergency Department)

Open entrances Monday to Friday:

• Entrance A (opened at 8 a.m.)
• Entrance B (opened from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
• Entrance D (opened from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
• Entrance E (Emergency Department)

Individuals who come to the hospital must only use Entrance E if they need to access the Emergency Department or if another entrance is not open.

*FOR HOSPITAL STAFF: Print and complete the COVID-19 screening tool here before arriving at the Hospital. Please note you MUST wait and show the screener your completed form before proceeding past the screening station.

Management of COVID-19 in hospital and Grove:

What happens if an ARH patient or resident is screened positive for COVID-19?

Any patient or resident who is screened positive for COVID-19 will be placed on additional precautions and testing will be completed.

Emergency Department:

What do I do if I have a non-emergency health concern?

For non-emergency health concerns (including those related to COVID-19), contact your family physician or the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (if you don’t have access to a family physician)  to help ensure ARH maintains the Emergency Department’s capacity.

Can I get a COVID-19 medical note at the hospital required by my employer or insurance company?

ARH physicians (family practice, Emergency Department) will not provide medical notes related to COVID-19 as per the request from employers or insurance companies. Community members will be directed to call Renfrew County District Health Unit at 613-735-8653 for follow-up.

Hospital parking:

How has parking at the hospital been impacted?

COVID-19 Public Resources:

Public Health Ontario resources

How to practice social distancing