With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the region, a familiar requirement is returning to the hospitals in Wingham and Listowel.
The Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance (LWHA), which operates the Listowel Memorial Hospital and Wingham and District Hospital, has announced that effective Wednesday face masks will once again be mandatory in all clinical areas.
"In response to an increase in respiratory illness, and to help keep our patients and team members safe, the decision has been made to return to masking in clinical areas of the hospital for all LWHA team members, volunteers, and visitors," the alliance said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the alliance, Ontario is seeing an early start to the respiratory season with a high rate of COVID-19 cases being reported across the province.
"Locally, neighbouring hospitals and long-term care homes are experiencing an increase in outbreaks of COVID-19, as well as reporting an increase in staff absences due to respiratory illness," the alliance said.
A staff shortage shuttered the emergency department at the Wingham and District Hospital for 12-hours this past Sunday.
The reintroduced masking requirement applies to all hospital employees, volunteers, patients, and visitors in all clinical areas including inpatient areas, outpatient clinics, medical imaging settings, outpatient laboratory services, the emergency department, oncology department, and in waiting rooms.
Face coverings are also being recommended, but are not mandatory, to be worn in non-clinical areas and common areas such as elevators, hallways, break rooms, cafeterias, meeting rooms, education rooms, and administrative offices.
Masks, as well as hand sanitizer, will be available at all hospital entrances for people entering the medical facilities.