Visitors no longer allowed in Niagara hospital as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Niagara Health says visitors are no longer permitted in its hospitals due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

The healthcare provider says the new visitor restrictions were implemented to maintain a safe environment for staff, physicians, patients and families.

Some exceptions will apply for support persons and Essential Care Partners (ECPs). However, all ECPs must be fully vaccinated and are only permitted at the bedside of patients who are admitted for seven days or more. Support persons will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances.

According to an update on Niagara Health’s website, an outbreak of COVID-19 was declared on Unit 3B at the St. Catharines site as the result of two healthcare-associated cases.

The outbreak was declared on Monday. Infection prevention and control measures were put in place to minimize the spread of the virus and maintain a safe environment.

An outbreak of COVID-19 was also declared at a long-term care home at the Welland site.

Niagara Health said officials are working diligently to bring a safe end to the outbreaks as quickly as possible.