Mask mandates return to southwestern Ontario's largest hospitals
The rules come into effect on Thursday at LHSC and St. Joe's
Mask Mandates Reintroduced at London Hospitals Ahead of Virus Season
Mask mandates are returning to London's hospitals for clinical staff and certain patients as healthcare providers prepare for the upcoming virus season.
The London Health Science Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph's Health Care London will require all patients exhibiting a fever or respiratory symptoms to wear a mask, except when they are in an inpatient bed.
Medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, are also required to wear masks while treating patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including the emergency room.
Although the mandate specifically targets these groups, hospital staff encourage everyone to wear masks to enhance protection.
"We're starting to see COVID numbers increase, and we're worried that with respiratory viruses and influenza coming onboard, it will lead to more admissions and create pressure on our inpatient floors," said Dr. Kevin Chan, LHSC's vice president for medicine, research, and academics, on Monday.
Masks will be available at hospital entrances, and the new protocols will take effect on Thursday, October 31.
Last week, the Middlesex London Health Unit reported one hospitalization due to influenza and another for RSV. The unit also indicated that hospital visits for respiratory illness treatment have been notably high.
