BHB returns to restricted visitation following rise in COVID-19 cases

Wednesday 9 December 2020: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) today announces that it is returning to restricted visitation from Thursday 10 December 2020 in its acute care units following the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the community. This will return BHB to the level of visitation implemented in June of this year.

Norma Smith, Vice President of Acute and Ambulatory, comments: “It has really been a tough call to reintroduce some of our earlier visitation restrictions once more at BHB. We are trying to balance the vital emotional support visitors bring patients with the risks that they bring in from the community to our vulnerable patient population. We ask family members and loved ones to please understand that we are trying to do our very best to ensure those in our care are protected from the risks in the community right now.”

While there will be limited visitation for acute care patient, patients on isolation will not be able to receive visitors. This includes all patients who are confirmed as having COVID-19, or who are awaiting COVID-19 test results. All patients admitted to a BHB acute care unit are tested for COVID-19.

Requirements for visiting:

• Visitors will need to adhere to physical distancing, good hand hygiene and wear masks at all times during their visit (including in private patient rooms).  Visiting may be suspended for breaches to social distancing, visiting policy or infection control requirements.
• Patients must identify visitors as a support person prior to them arriving. Names will be held at the front desks of KEMH and MWI and nurses stations.
• For infection control purposes, visitors will not be allowed to use patient bathrooms and will need to use public restrooms on each floor.
• Overnight stays are not allowed at this time.

People who cannot visit:

• People who are feeling unwell will not be allowed to visit.
• People who have been in contact with a positive COVID-19 case or someone in quarantine should not visit.
• People who have travelled overseas cannot visit until they have had a negative COVID-19 test result from their 14^th day test.

If you have any questions about the visitation for the unit your loved one is on, please call the unit directly before you visit.

KEMH Acute Care Visitation

Acute Inpatient Care Units (Acute Care and General Wing):

• Designated support people can visit for two hours each day between 12 noon and 6pm.
• Check into the front desk in the Acute Care Wing lobby for KEMH.
• In the three Acute Care Ward Units* at KEMH where patients are in large private rooms, two visitors can attend at any one time. (*ACE Barber, Ascendant Partner Re, Catlin Lindo Units)
• In Curtis Ward in the General Wing of KEMH, due to space and the use of public and semi-public rooms, one visitor will be allowed at any one time.

Intensive Care Unit:

• One designated support person per patient allowed to visit for two hours between 10am and noon, or 4pm and 6pm.

MWI Acute Care Visitation

Acute Care Inpatient Units (Somers Ward, Somers Annex, Child & Adolescent Inpatient Unit):

• Visitation will only take place at the discretion of the Manager. Please call in advance if you intend to visit a loved one at 236-3770
• Check into the front desk.
• If allowed by the manager, one visitor will be allowed with visitation occurring in a public space (eg family conference room).

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