COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

Updated September 29, 2020

We are taking precautions to ensure the safety of our staff, patients, and community during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic continues, we will do our best to provide the most up-to-date information possible for our patients, families, and community members on this page.

The boxes below share some important information regarding COVID-19 and BCHS. For updated information on COVID-19 in Ontario visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus. For local information visit https://www.bchu.org/.

How is BCHS preparing for COVID-19?

BCHS has robust screening and infection prevention and control procedures in place. BCHS is working closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ontario Hospital Association on provincial readiness. BCHS is working in partnership locally with the Brant County Health Unit, EMS, and community providers.

We have adequate stock of all needed supplies and equipment should they be needed.

Each patient is screened for respiratory illness and asked about recent travel to assess against current risk criteria. If they meet that criteria, appropriate isolation steps are immediately taken.

What to do if you think you have COVID-19

As stated by the Ministry of Health the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

fever e.g. feeling hot to the touch, a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher
chills
cough that's new or worsening, continuous, more than usual
barking cough, making a whistling noise when breathing - croup
shortness of breath, out of breath, unable to breathe deeply
sore throat
difficulty swallowing
runny, stuffy or congested nose not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions
lost sense of taste or smell
pink eye/conjunctivitis
headache that’s unusual or long lasting
digestive issues e.g. nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
muscle aches
extreme tiredness that is unusual, fatigue, lack of energy
falling down often
for young children and infants: sluggishness or lack of appetite

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 General Hospital. No referrals are required. 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

New Location: Brantford Civic Centre

The Brant Community Healthcare System has moved COVID-19 testing operations to the Brantford Civic Centre Auditorium located at 79 Market Street South. The COVID-19 Assessment Centre has expanded hours, additional staff and updated booking options to address higher demand for testing. PLEASE NOTE: When there is high demand for testing, wait times and booking may take longer than usual. Please know we are doing everything possible to provide testing in a timely manner. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Who is Eligible for Testing?

The assessment centre will address the 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:

are showing COVID-19 symptoms
have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 informed by the Brant County Health Unit or an exposure notice received on the COVID Alert app
are a resident or someone who works in a place that has a COVID-19 outbreak
are eligible for testing as part of targeted testing by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care

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:

If you need to be tested at Assessment Centre, please 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.

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:

An adult accompanying a child who is a patient
A frail older person
A person with a disability
An interpreter for a patient

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

NO WALK-INS ACCEPTED AFTER 4:00pm Daily

Map of Location

How do I access my COVID-19 test results?

There is a new user-friendly online portal where you can easily access your COVID-19 lab test results.

What You Can Do to Stop the Spread

To 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. We must all work together and do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay healthy – Stay safe.

Visiting Hours and Information During COVID-19

Updated Visitor Policy at BCHS

Brant 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.

Visiting Guidelines

Visiting hours are from 9am to 8pm daily at Brantford General Hospital and The Willett. Appointments must be scheduled 24 hours in advance through the care team on each hospital unit.
Visitors must be designated by the patient. Patients may designate up to two individuals who will be the only people able to visit. A patient’s visitor list can be updated after a 14-day period. In some circumstances (i.e. for a patient who is unable to make decisions), a Power of Attorney or Substitute Decision Maker will designate visitors.
Visitors must be at least 18 years of age. Exceptions may apply under the “Exceptional Circumstances” criteria listed below.

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 remain 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 review visiting guidelines and make changes when needed.

Emergency & Urgent Care

One visitor is permitted per patient in the Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre.

There may high volumes at the Emergency Department and/or Urgent Care Centre. In these cases, departments may reserve the right to restrict visitors.
Departments may allow visitors for only those who meet exceptional circumstances criteria, including compassionate grounds, essential assistance and children/youth.

Outpatient Care

Visitors are not permitted in Outpatient Areas – Diagnostic Imaging, Day Surgery, on-site Clinics – to ensure we can treat patients and maintain physical distancing for those waiting for care:

In exceptional circumstances, one family member/caregiver is permitted to support a patient following a surgery or procedure.
- Special circumstances include compassionate grounds, essential assistance and children/youth, or women in labour.
Family members/caregivers who are to attend with the patient must be approved in advance by clinic staff.

Inpatient Care

Limited visitors allowed for inpatients - patients who are admitted to the hospital

One visitor per patient per day.
One-hour visit time-slots between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visits are 1 hour and up to 2 based on patient environment.
Visitors must be designated by the patient. Patients may designate up to two individuals who will be the only people able to visit. The individuals on the patient’s list can be updated after a 14-day period.
Patients will connect with their care team who will help establish the schedule for visiting.

Exceptional Circumstances

Limited exceptions exist for allowing additional visitors, expanded visiting time and increased visiting frequency, including:

Compassionate Grounds

Compassionate grounds for a patient who is at end of life or gravely ill.

Essential Assistance

Caregiver providing essential assistance to a patient requiring cognitive support, physical care, emotional support and/or cultural interpretation support.
Support person(s) for a patient in labour.
Other special needs as determined by the care team.

Pediatric Unit, Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Family Birthing Centre

Two parents or caregivers of a child or youth who is a patient on the Pediatric Unit during visiting hours. 1 parent or caregiver after hours.
Two parents or caregivers of a baby admitted to the Special Care Nursery. 1 parent or caregiver after hours.
One support person for a patient in labour. Examples of exceptional circumstances requiring two support persons include:
- One midwife support – support person and midwife
- One surrogate parent – support person and intended parent(s)
- One adoptive parent – support person and adoptive parent(s)
In circumstances where the patient is in the Operating Room, the support person will need to wait in the designated waiting area and will not be permitted to enter the Operating Room.
In the event of special circumstances, accommodations will be made as required.

As situations are 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 Restrictions

Visitors are not permitted:

For patients in ARI precautions or for confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
If they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a confirmed or probable case.
If they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
If they have been outside of Canada in the last 14 days.

We will help schedule virtual visits when possible.

Visitors Entering BCHS Sites

All visitors must use the D-Wing entrance of Brantford General Hospital 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

All visitors must be screened before entering the hospital.
Masks must be worn at all times in the hospital.
Visitors must practice physical distancing in all public areas.
Visitors must practice good hand hygiene when entering and exiting the hospital, unit and patient room.
Visitors will be restricted to the patient’s room only. Visitors must not visit common areas located within the unit. Exceptions may be made for utilization of the Indigenous Family Space.
Visitors must put on the appropriate personal protective equipment as shown on the sign posted outside the patient’s room.
Eating/drinking is not permitted within the patient room.
Visitors should not touch anything in the room.
Visitors should use public washrooms and not patient washrooms.

After Your Visit

Visitors 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.

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 Hospital

For the safety of all visitors, patients, and staff, please follow these important reminders when visiting the hospital for a scheduled care appointment:

We are using one main entrance in an effort to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please enter through the D-Wing Entrance and kindly arrive close to the time of your scheduled appointment.
Anyone entering the hospital will be provided with a face mask and will go through active screening to test for COVID symptoms.
You are required to practice physical distancing of at least two metres/six feet and to sanitize your hands using the dispensers located throughout the hospital.
If you leave the hospital and plan to return the same day, you will be screened again.
Please review our visitor policy in the tab above.

Keeping Patients Safe

Universal Masking

The 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 Distancing

We 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 Cleaning

Our 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:

Product description
Product code
Identify if the equipment is unused, unopened and unexpired
Contact name, email and phone number

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

Links & Resources

Brant County Health Unit
Ministry of Health dedicated web page
Federal COVID-19 hotline: 1-833-784-4397
BCHS COVID-19 hotline: 519-751-5818
Federal email:phac.info.aspc@canada.ca
Ontario Ministry of Health - Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Ontario Ministry of Health - Information Sheet (available in multiple languages)

Other resources: