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COVID-19

COVID-19
Information

Identifying symptoms.

If you have a fever, new or worsening cough, or any other symptoms of respiratory illness please isolate at home and contact the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 31 Nova Scotia Walk, Elliot Lake by calling (705) 461-8882 to determine if you are eligible for COVID-19 testing. Please do not attend the Hospital’s Emergency Department for generalized COVID-19 testing.

Administrator stapling papers

Self monitoring for symptoms.

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SJGHEL Main Entrance - COVID-19 precautions

How to self isolate?

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Our recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

We strongly encourage all eligible individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine, as it protects from serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Being immunized protects those around us, reduces the impact of COVID-19 on our health care system, and ensures that health care workers can continue to provide care for all who need it.

Experiencing a Medical Emergency?

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, regardless of whether you are positive for COVID-19, please do not hesitate to attend our Hospital’s Emergency Department.

If you are planning to attend the Emergency Department and are positive for COVID-19 please contact the Hospital at (705) 848-7181 prior to your visit to inform staff of your current situation, if possible. This will permit Hospital staff to properly prepare for your arrival and take the necessary infection prevention and control measures and precautions to protect you, themselves, and our other patients.

Prior to coming to the Hospital for any scheduled appointments:

  • If you have a fever, new or worsening cough, or any other cough, or any other symptoms of respiratory illness or
  • Were exposed to COVID-19 or
  • Are COVID-19 positive

Please call the Hospital at (705) 848-7181 to inform staff; Switchboard will redirect your call to the appropriate department. Hospital staff will provide guidance and advise you if you need to reschedule your appointment. In some situations, it may be recommended that you keep your appointment.

It is very important that we are provided with this information, so we can take precautions to keep you, other patients, and staff safe. Please follow all the safety precautions your health care team asks you to.

Although we strongly recommend that all eligible individuals get their COVID-19 vaccination, patients do not need to be fully vaccinated to receive care in our Hospital.


COVID-19 Questions

Policies & Things to Know

When your care provider calls you to confirm your appointment, they will provide you with an arrival time. Please come to the Hospital at least 30 minutes prior to this arrival time.

Upon entering the Hospital, please read all posted signage at the main entrance carefully and follow the instructions and directions provided.

SJGHEL Main Entrance - COVID-19 precautions

Everyone entering SJGHEL is being screened for symptoms of COVID-19, recent travel outside of Canada, and close contact with people who have COVID-19. Screening is designed to help us ensure that patients and visitors coming into our Hospital are not ill and/or not at risk of COVID-19 exposure from travel or close contacts.

If you do not “pass” screening, it does not mean that you will not be allowed to enter the Hospital. It is important that you answer all questions honestly and truthfully so that our staff can provide you with guidance on taking extra precautions to keep you, other patients, and our staff safe during your time with us.

Questions that may be asked during screening include:

  • symptoms of COVID-19
  • recent exposure to someone with COVID-19
  • recent travel
  • whether you have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine
  • your contact information so that we can do contact tracing in the future if needed

When you enter the Hospital, alcohol-based hand rub is provided at the main entrance. You must wash your hands when you enter the Hospital, and before and after putting on a mask. We recommend that you wash your hands often throughout your visit using the various hand sanitizer stations located throughout the Hospital.

Please note, gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. If you are wearing gloves, please remove them and apply hand sanitizer.

Everyone entering SJGHEL must put on a new facemask from the dispenser at the main entrance of the Hospital. If you are wearing a cloth or disposable mask from home, or an N95 respirator or KN95-style mask, you are required to put on a new Hospital-provided, medical-grade mask. Please note that a new Hospital-provided medical mask is required each time that you visit SJGHEL. Masks must remain on during your entire visit and must cover your nose and mouth.

Please note that mask exemption cards are not accepted at SJGHEL. Medical exemptions will only be considered for patients and must be pre-approved by the Hospital.

Please practice physical distancing inside the Hospital. Follow directions from staff, wall signage, and floor markers.

SJGHEL recognizes the value that visits from family and caregivers contribute to a patient’s quality of life and well-being. We strive to balance this with the need to protect the safety of our patients and staff.

At this time, SJGHEL has re-opened General Visiting Hours to the public. Please click here for more information on current visiting protocols at our Hospital.

Please note that visiting protocols and restrictions may change at any time to reflect current circumstances (i.e., outbreak) and every effort will be taken to ensure prompt communication with the public.

Nurse with patient on tablet

COVID-19 Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a fever, new or worsening cough, or any other symptoms of respiratory illness please isolate at home and contact the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 31 Nova Scotia Walk, Elliot Lake by calling (705) 461-8882 to determine if you are eligible for COVID-19 testing. Please do not attend the Hospital’s Emergency Department for generalized COVID-19 testing.

We strongly encourage all eligible individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine, as it protects from serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Being immunized protects those around us, reduces the impact of COVID-19 on our health-care system, and ensures that health-care workers can continue to provide care for all who need it.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, regardless of whether you are positive for COVID-19, please do not hesitate to attend our Hospital’s Emergency Department.

If you are planning to attend the Emergency Department and are positive for COVID-19 please contact the Hospital at (705) 848-7181 prior to your visit to inform staff of your current situation, if possible. This will permit Hospital staff to properly prepare for your arrival and take the necessary infection prevention and control measures and precautions to protect you, themselves, and our other patients.

Prior to coming to the Hospital for any scheduled appointments:

  • if you have a fever, new or worsening cough, or any other symptoms of respiratory illness or
  • were exposed to COVID-19 or
  • are COVID-19 positive

please call the Hospital at (705) 848-7182 to inform staff; Switchboard will redirect your call to the appropriate department. Hospital staff will provide guidance and advise you if you need to reschedule your appointment. In some situations, you may be recommended to keep your appointment.

It is very important that we are provided with this information, so we can take precautions to keep you, other patients, and staff safe. Please follow all the safety precautions your health care team asks you to.

St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake (SJGHEL) is committed to providing a positive patient experience. We believe in and encourage a partnership between patients, families, and their Healthcare Providers. Our Hospital recognizes and acknowledges the importance of family members and loved ones being able to accompany and support their loved ones when they access care and services. SJGHEL also acknowledges that in some cases, a patient may have special care needs that require collaboration and involvement of their family members and loved ones, as part of an extension of our Clinical Team.

Please click here for information on how we work with Support Persons and Essential Care Partners (ECPs) to provide the best patient experience when attending our Hospital.

Yes. Everyone entering SJGHEL must put on a new facemask from the dispenser at the main entrance of the Hospital. If you are wearing a cloth or disposable mask from home, or an N95 respirator or KN95-style mask, you are required to put on a new Hospital-provided, medical-grade mask. Please note that a new Hospital-provided medical mask is required each time that you visit SJGHEL. Masks must remain on during your entire visit and must cover your nose and mouth.

Please note that mask exemption cards are not accepted at SJGHEL. Medical exemptions will only be considered for patients and must be pre-approved by the Hospital.

SJGHEL is committed to providing care for all patients in the safest possible way. We have infection prevention and control policies and procedures in place and follow Ministry of Health guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19 to keep you, other patients, and staff safe.

Prior to coming to the Hospital for any scheduled appointments:

  • if you have a fever, new or worsening cough, or any other symptoms of respiratory illness or
  • were exposed to COVID-19 or
  • are COVID-19 positive

Please call the Hospital at (705) 848-7182 to inform staff; Switchboard will redirect your call to the appropriate department. Hospital staff will provide guidance and advise you if you need to reschedule your appointment. In some situations, it may be recommended that you keep your appointment.

It is very important that we are provided with this information, so we can take precautions to keep you, other patients, and staff safe. Please follow all the safety precautions your health care team asks you to.

Although we strongly recommend that all eligible individuals get their COVID-19 vaccination, patients do not need to be fully vaccinated to receive care in our Hospital.

At this time, SJGHEL has re-opened General Visiting Hours to the public. Please click here for more information on current visiting protocols at our Hospital.

Please note that visiting protocols and restrictions may change at any time to reflect current circumstances (i.e., outbreak) and every effort will be taken to ensure prompt communication with the public.

No. Please be advised that our Cafeteria is not currently open to the public. We kindly advise that Essential Care Partners and Support Persons eat and drink before coming to the Hospital, as it is important for the protection of others to always wear a mask during your visit.

Please refer to the following document.