COVID-19
Identifying symptoms.
Please contact Algoma Public Health for more information on what to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms or are a confirmed case or contact of COVID-19.
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.
Self monitoring for symptoms.
How to self isolate?
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.
Read more from Algoma Public Health on what to do if you have COVID symptoms or are a confirmed case or contact of COVID-19.
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.
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.
Please be advised that at this time, the Hospital is not permitting general visitors, only fully vaccinated Essential Care Partners (ECP) and Support Persons deemed essential to a patient’s care. Please note that not every patient is eligible for an ECP or Support Person, and need will be determined together with the patient and the health care team based on the diagnosis and required level of care.
Essential Care Partners (ECP) entering SJGHEL will be required to provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 along with a piece of identification. Proof of being fully vaccinated can be provided using a paper or electronic receipt. If you were vaccinated in Ontario, you can download your enhanced vaccine certificate (with a QR code).
Essential Care Partners (ECP) and social visitors are not the same. An ECP is an individual who has a critical role in a patient’s health and well-being.
All ECP will be required to follow all infection prevention and control guidelines including but not limited to:
- pass active screening upon entry
- wear a mask for the entire visit and encourage their loved one to do so as well (if possible)
- follow hand hygiene policies and sanitize their hands frequently
- not eat or drink during the visit
- stay 2 meters (6 feet) away from their loved one and others during the visit – unless arrangements to provide physical care to their loved one has been arranged with the health care team
- not to visit other patients in the Hospital
- follow instructions from staff on the unit
We understand that there may be a need for special considerations. These exceptions can be reviewed with the health care team. For further assistance, please call (705) 848-7182 ext. 2419 to contact the Patient Relations Office or email info@sjgh.ca.
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.
Prior to coming to SJGHEL, ask your health care team if you are allowed to bring someone with you to your appointment.
Only Support Persons deemed essential to a patient’s care will be permitted to accompany a patient to their appointment. Please note that not every patient is eligible for a Support Person, and this will be assessed and determined by the Nursing unit.
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.
There are limited exceptions to the requirement for vaccination for urgent, compassionate, or essential reasons.
We understand that there may be a need for special considerations. These exceptions can be reviewed with the health care team. For further assistance, please call (705) 848-7181 ext. 2419 to contact the Patient Relations Office or email info@sjgh.ca.
During visitor restrictions, Essential Care Partners (ECP) may visit patients during the hours of 11 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm, seven days a week. In some cases, ECPs may be permitted to stay beyond visiting hours in consultation with the care team.
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.