COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)
Updated March 21, 2023
Visitors Please Note: Masking is still required at all times while indoors at Brantford General Hospital or The Willett, Paris.
PLEASE NOTE: The BCHS Visitor Policy is up to date. For more details click here.
Finding Your Way at Brantford General Hospital and The Willett, Paris
Brantford General Hospital: All visitors may enter the hospital through the A-Wing, D-Wing or Emergency Department entrance. Please note that the A-Wing entrance doors are open between 5:30am - 9:00pm and the D-Wing entrance doors are open from 5:30am - 8:00pm. If you are visiting the hospital after hours please enter through the Emergency Department doors located off of Terrace Hill Street.
The Willett: All visitors may enter through the Urgent Care Entrance. If you are attending the COVID-19 Assessment Centre you may enter through the Alexander Street entrance.
All visitors must complete and pass self-screening, wear the mask provided by the hospital at screening and agree to the visitor rules.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Brant County Health Unit continues with the COVID-19 vaccination rollout as set out by the Ontario Ministry of Health. For more information, please visit the COVID-19 vaccine page of the Brant County Health Unit. NOTE: Vaccinations are NOT available at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre.
Keeping You Safe
BCHS has strict safety precautions in place to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic including patients, visitors, employees, physicians and the community. As the pandemic continues, we'll keep you informed with the most up-to-date information available.
Current COVID-19 Patients at BCHS | |
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Total number of patients with confirmed COVID-19 | 5 |
COVID-19 patients - critical care | 0 |
COVID-19 patients - other |
5 |
Please Note: Numbers reported may vary from those posted by the Brant County Health Unit as some patients may reside outside of Brantford-Brant.
Current COVID-19 Outbreaks at BCHS | |
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There are currently no outbreaks of COVID-19 at the BCHS. |
Please Note: Units in outbreak are closed to visitors.
What to do if you think you have COVID-19 |
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Please review the media release issued on December 31, 2021 for updated information on PCR testing and self-isolation guidelines. For an updated list of COVID-19 symptoms please see Symptoms and treatment information issued by Province of Ontario If you think you have symptoms or are feel you may have been exposed to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Assessment Centre tab below to read about new testing eligibility requirements. You must schedule an appointment to be tested. No walk-ins accepted. For details on hours and location, 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.
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Hospital Care for COVID-19-Positive Patients |
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BCHS is working together with all hospitals across the greater region including Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand, Norfolk and Burlington to provide care for patients who are COVID-19 positive. For information about COVID-19 hospital care available click here. |
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COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic (CCFCC) & Appointment Booking |
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IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Vaccinations are NOT available at the COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic (CCFCC). Please visit the COVID-19 vaccine page of the Brant County Health Unit for vaccination locations and booking information. PLEASE NOTE: The COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic does not accept walk-ins. You must schedule an appointment in advance to be tested. 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. How to Book an Appointment:To book a test at the COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic , 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 a.m. -5 p.m.* 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 CCFCC will not be allowed to have visitors unless they meet the following criteria:
Location: Brant Community Healthcare System's CCFCC is located at the Willett Urgent Care Centre, 238 Grand River St N Paris. Hours: Open 7 days per week COVID Testing | 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. On-site physician | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. *Please note that appointments to see the on-site physician must be booked by phone or email. Closed daily between 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. *Additional hours may be added as required Click here to access our online self-booking tool, available 24/7. Who is Eligible for Testing?The Government of Ontario has updated the COVID-19 testing guidelines for assessment centres across the province. Updated criteria for COVID-19 testing states that both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid molecular tests can confirm if you have COVID-19. They are collected by a health care professional, or another trained individual, who swab your nose or throat. At home PCR self-collection tests are also available and can be used by individuals to perform the test at home and be dropped off at a testing location for processing. PCR samples are sent to a lab to be tested and you get the results in a couple days. Samples taken during rapid molecular testing do not need to be sent to a lab and results are generally available the same day. Eligibility for PCR or rapid molecular testing: If you are at higher risk of severe outcomes of COVID‑19, you are eligible for PCR or rapid molecular testing and should seek out testing as soon as possible if you develop symptoms. You are eligible for PCR or rapid molecular testing if you have COVID‑19 symptoms and belong to any of the following groups:
You are also eligible for PCR or rapid molecular testing if you belong to any of the following groups whether you have symptoms or not:
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. Please note: We do not offer COVID-19 testing for travel, including domestic and international trips. This change is based on the updated guidance from the Government of Ontario. 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 unless to access medical care. If we all work together, we can help stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay healthy – Stay safe. Frequently Asked Questions:
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Visiting Hours and Information |
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Updated Visitor Policy at BCHSTo view the visitor policy please visit the Visiting Hours and Information page of the BCHS website. Click here to read the Visiting Guidelines information sheet. BCHS reviews its hospital visitor policy and guidelines regularly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone at our hospital sites. |
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Keeping Patients Safe |
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Universal Mask Policy in EffectBrant Community Healthcare System is providing masks to all patients, visitors and staff entering our hospitals. PLEASE NOTE: For everyone's safety, ALL patients and visitors are required to wear a medical mask at BCHS sites. Medical grade masks will be provided by BCHS when a patient is admitted and for everyone at hospital entrances. To ensure you have a positive experience while visiting BCHS hospital sites, please remember the following:
Click here for information on how to properly wear a mask. Physical DistancingBCHS has strict safety precautions in place with signs posted around the hospital to ensure you are keeping a safe, physical distance of 2 metres/6 feet from others. Waiting room areas have been modified - every other chair in waiting rooms and floors are roped off and marked to ensure and encourage safe distancing in line-ups. There is limited seating in public areas and we are currently discouraging using these areas. Staff and physicians are not meeting in-person. All group meetings are taking place virtually using telephone and video conferences. Enhanced CleaningThe Environmental Services team at BCHS is following strictly enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures to ensure a clean and safe environment for our patients, staff and physicians. |
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Screening & Reduced Entrances |
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We are actively screening for potential risk of COVID-19. Everyone who comes to our sites must be screened before entering to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone. Please allow for extra time if you are coming to the hospital. If you are seeking Emergency Care, please go directly to the Emergency Department entrance at Brantford General Hospital. Patients and Visitors may use the A Wing Entrance at BGH ONLY for:
All other Patients and Visitors must enter through the D Wing Entrance. If you are seeking non-emergency care at The Willett, Paris, please enter using the front entrance. Thank you for your patience understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our ongoing efforts are designed to protect the health and safety of our patients, staff, physicians and the community from the potential transmission of the COVID-19 virus. |
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Ways to Donate |
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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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Links & Resources |
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Other resources:
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