COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)
Updated March 2, 2021
Brantford Brant is currently in Orange Zone - Restrict. Click here for more information about what each zone means and the current restrictions in place. PLEASE NOTE: The BCHS Visitor Policy is up to date and details can be found below under the tab: Visiting Hours and Information during COVID-19. PLEASE NOTE: ALL patients and visitors are now required to wear a medical mask at our sites, which will be provided by BCHS upon patient admission and at hospital entrances.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Brant County Health Unit has announced confirmation from the Ontario Ministry of Health that Brant can expect to receive the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine the week of January 11, 2021. The vaccine is to be administered to priority populations identified by the Ministry of Health and Vaccine Task Force. These priority groups include:
- long-term care home and high-risk retirement home residents
- health care workers
- essential caregivers.
Individuals who are part of these groups will be contacted when the COVID-19 vaccine can be offered to them. For more information, please visit the COVID-19 vaccine page of the Brant County Health Unit.
Keeping You Safe
BCHS has all necessary precautions in place to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic including patients, visitors, employees, physicians and the community. While the pandemic continues, we will do everything possible to keep you informed with the most up-to-date information available.
The boxes below share important information about COVID-19 and BCHS. For updates about COVID-19 in Ontario visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus. For local information visit the local health unit: https://www.bchu.org/.
Total number of confirmed COVID-19 patients currently receiving care at BCHS: 3
Please Note: Numbers reported may vary from those posted by the Brant County Health Unit as some patients may reside outside of Brantford-Brant.
How is BCHS addressing COVID-19? |
BCHS has thorough screening and infection prevention and control procedures in place. We work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ontario Hospital Association on being prepared. Locally, BCHS works in partnership with the Brant County Health Unit, Emergency Medical Services and community health care providers. Currently, there is adequate stock of all needed supplies and equipment. Each patient is screened for respiratory illness and asked about recent travel to assess against current risk criteria. If they meet that criteria, we take appropriate isolation steps immediately. |
What to do if you think you have COVID-19 |
According to the Ministry of Health the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include: For an updated list of COVID-19 symptoms please see Symptoms and treatment information by Province of Ontario If you think you have symptoms or are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Assessment Centre located at the Brantford Civic Centre. You must have an appointment to be tested. No walk-ins accepted. For details on the location and hours, see the "COVID-19 Assessment Centre" tab below. If you need urgent care and are in distress call 911 or visit the Emergency Department immediately. |
COVID-19 Assessment Centre |
BCHS COVID-19 Assessment CentreBrantford Civic CentreBrant Community Healthcare System's COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at the Brantford Civic Centre Auditorium, 79 Market Street South. We have expanded hours, assigned additional staff and updated booking options to address higher demand for testing - click here to access our new online self-booking tool, available 24/7. The Assessment Centre does not accept walk-ins. You must schedule an appointment in advance to be tested. PLEASE NOTE: When there is high demand for testing, wait times and bookings may take longer than usual. Please know we are doing everything possible to provide timely testing and we appreciate your patience and understanding. Who is Eligible for Testing?The assessment centre will address necessary steps if testing for COVID-19 is required based on symptoms, travel history and/or exposure to confirmed COVID-19 cases. As of September 24, 2020, the Ontario government provided updated criteria for COVID-19 testing stating that individuals can be tested if they:
If you meet any one of the above circumstances, please contact the Brant Community Healthcare System to arrange for testing. You can also take the Ministry of Health’s self-assessment to help you decide if you need a test. How to Book an Appointment:New: To book a test at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre, click here to access the online self-booking tool, available 24/7. You can also book an appointment in advance by emailing Covid.assessment@bchsys.org with your name and telephone number, or by calling the hotline at 519-751-5818, available Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm.*
If your symptoms get worse and you need urgent care, please visit the local emergency department or call 911 immediately.
PLEASE NOTE: For the safety of all patients, families and staff, visitor restrictions are in place. People being tested at the Assessment Centre will not be allowed to have visitors unless they meet the following criteria:
Hours and Location Hours: Location: Monday to Friday: 8am to 10pm 79 Market St S Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 6pm Brantford, ON N3S 2E4
*Note: See special Assessment Centre Holiday Hours above.
Map of Location How do I access my COVID-19 test results?There is a user-friendly online portal where you can easily access your COVID-19 lab test results. What You Can Do to Stop the SpreadTo help keep everyone safe, please follow all health safety measures – keep a safe physical distance of at least two metres from others, wear face masks, wash or sanitize your hands often and please stay home if you’re not feeling well – even if you have mild symptoms. If we all work together, we can help stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay healthy – Stay safe. |
Visiting Hours and Information During COVID-19 |
Updated Visitor Policy at BCHSBrant Community Healthcare System has updated its visitor policy as of September 30, 2020. We are focused on the safety of everyone and want you to know it is safe to be at our hospital sites. To view the full patient-family information sheet click here. Visiting Guidelines
BCHS has taken additional precautions to deal with COVID-19 and to keep everyone safe and healthy. Our Visitor Policy is updated as of September 30, 2020 and we are committed to providing you with safe, high quality care. We are doing everything possible to meet your needs and have temporary measures in place for caregiver visits. We’ll continue to look at our visiting guidelines and make changes when we need to. Emergency & Urgent Care One visitor is permitted per patient in the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre.
Outpatient CareVisitors are not permitted in Outpatient Areas – Diagnostic Imaging, Day Surgery and on-site Clinics – to ensure we can treat patients and maintain safe physical distancing for those waiting for care:
Inpatient CareLimited visitors allowed for inpatients – patients who are admitted to the hospital:
Exceptional CircumstancesLimited exceptions exist for allowing additional visitors, expanded visiting time and increased visiting frequency, including: Compassionate Grounds
Essential Assistance
Pediatric Unit, Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Family Birthing Centre
As situations may be unique, the Clinical Manager or delegate will determine whether a visitor meets the exceptional criteria and will work with the clinical team, patient and family on compassionate expectations. In some situations, the appeals process may be triggered to assist in finding an agreeable resolution through the Patient Relations Department at extension 2395. Visitor RestrictionsVisitors are not permitted:
We will help schedule virtual visits when possible. Visitors Entering BCHS SitesAll visitors must use the D-Wing entrance of Brantford General Hospital (BGH), and the Urgent Care Entrance at The Willett. Pediatric and NICU visitors must enter the Brantford General Hospital through the A-Wing Entrance. Visitor Responsibilities
After Your VisitVisitors will leave Brantford General Hospital through Door 22 located in D Wing Main floor. At The Willett, visitors exit through the Thrive/Life Labs area located on the first floor. If you have questions about the BCHS Visitor Policy, please contact a member of your loved one’s care team by calling Switchboard at 519-751-5544 extension 0.
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Gradual Reintroduction of Scheduled Care Services at BCHS |
Brant Community Healthcare System is gradually reintroducing some appointments and procedures postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are following the direction of the provincial government, which has recommended a phased approach to service resumption in hospitals across Ontario. Together with our regional partners and following the direction of the government, we have developed a principled plan to gradually phase in non-urgent procedures and services. This plan will allow us to balance the need to resume care for patients who have been waiting for treatment with our obligation to be ready for a possible surge in COVID-19 patients. Protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff and community is our top priority and a critical component of our plan. If your appointment or procedure was cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic, your physician or surgeon’s office will contact you with the new date. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide care to those with urgent needs. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your doctor’s office for guidance. If you are experiencing serious symptoms, please call 9-1-1 or go to their nearest emergency department. Visiting the HospitalFor the safety of all visitors, patients, and staff, please follow these important reminders when visiting the hospital for a scheduled care appointment:
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Keeping Patients Safe |
Universal MaskingThe Brant Community Healthcare System is providing masks to all outpatients, visitors and staff entering our hospitals. Click here for information on how to properly wear a mask. Physical DistancingWe are using environmental cues around the hospital to encourage physical distancing, including signage and roping off every other chair in waiting rooms and using tape on the floor to encourage distancing in line-ups. Seating areas in public areas are limited and discouraged. Staff and physicians are replacing in-person group meetings with virtual meetings using teleconferences and video calls when possible. Enhanced CleaningOur Environmental Services team has increased cleaning and disinfection procedures to ensure a clean and safe environment for our patients, staff and physicians. |
Screening & Reduced Entrances |
We are actively screening for potential risk of COVID-19 with everyone who comes to our sites to ensure the safety and well-being of our people and patients. Please allow for extra time if you are coming to the hospital. You will be required to enter the building through the D-Wing Entrance at Brantford General Hospital, and the front entrance of The Willett. Thank you for your understanding during our ongoing efforts to protect the public, patients, staff and physicians from the potential transmission of the COVID-19 virus. |
Ways to Donate |
We are grateful to the many generous members of our community who have stepped forward with offers of personal protective equipment (PPE) for our staff and physicians. Our staff are safe and currently have the right PPE to do their jobs but COVID-19 demands can change quickly. We kindly request that anyone who would like to make a donation of PPE, or supply PPE by other means, please contact us first. We are working swiftly to ensure donations that we require and can accept, meet national standards for PPE use in a health care setting, and align this equipment to our current products. Anyone looking to donate or supply products please email foundation@bchsys.org or call us at 519-751-5510 and provide:
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Changes to Scheduled and Elective Services and Outpatient Activity |
BCHS has reduced scheduled surgeries and outpatient activity following the direction of the Ministry of Health and Ontario’s Chief Public Health Officer. Patients affected by these changes will be notified by their care team for further information. We will continue to assess and make changes as needed as the province's pandemic response plan evolves. The following actions support local containment and will help reduce possible exposure for all staff and physicians to COVID-19 while conserving resources for urgent needs. |
Daily Testing Updates |
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Links & Resources |
Other resources:
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