St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph (SJHCG) is monitoring information about the Novel Coronavirus (which was recently named the COVID-19 by the World Health Organization). The risk to Canadians remains low, as there are three confirmed cases in Ontario at this time.

SJHCG has strong infection prevention and control practices in place at all times and many of the recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health are already part of SJHCG’s infection prevention and control program.

One of the changes is that SJHCG has posted new signs at each entrance to our health centre asking staff and visitors if they have:

  • Fever, and/or cough or difficulty breathing AND 
  • Recent travel history (in the last 14 days) to one of the following areas:
    • Mainland China
    • Hong Kong
    • Iran
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
  • Close contact (provided care or had similar close physical contact) with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, or
  • Close contact with a person who is ill and has been to an impacted area.

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, do not come into SJHCG. Instead, contact your healthcare provider, Telehealth Ontario, or your local Public Health Unit to report your symptoms.

 

Preventing the spread of illnesses:

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health recommends that the best way to reduce the risk of infection is to practice good infection prevention and control that includes:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill
  • Stay home when you are ill
  • Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands.
  • Sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm if you don’t have a tissue

Our regular infection prevention and control includes alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations throughout our health centre for clients, visitors and staff to use. We also have specific protocols in place in case someone at SJHCG shows symptoms of acute respiratory illness.

 

Coming to SJHCG for an appointment:

At this time, there are no changes or restrictions to services or clinics at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph.

 

Visiting someone at SJHCG:

Do not visit a friend or family member at SJHCG is you are feeling ill or if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath (worse than normal)
  • A new or worsening cough
  • Chills
  • Severe headaches (worse than normal)
  • Unexplained muscle aches
  • Unexplained extreme fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Rashes

 

More information:

For more information, including updates on the status of the virus and risk to Canadians, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada or Government of Ontario websites.