Community Update – January 24, 2022

Situation Report

Monday, January 24, 2022

Vitalité Health Network is providing this situation report in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current challenges facing the health care system. This report will be updated as needed, as the situation changes.

Alert level

The Network remains at the red level due to the substantial increases in COVID-19 cases in the province and the resulting repercussions on the health care system. Over the past week, the Network has intensified its slowdown in a number of sectors and services, namely:

• Professional services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, nutrition, respiratory therapy, etc.);
• Medical imaging services (x-rays, scans, etc.);
• Surgical services (elective surgery);
• Ambulatory care services; and
• Phlebotomy services (bloodwork).

Essential services

Our top priority is to maintain services essential to the public by redeploying staff to critical sectors, such as:

• Intensive care units,
• Emergency departments;
• COVID-19 units,
• COVID-19 vaccination and testing.

Patients who have an appointment may present for their appointment at their scheduled date and time. The Network will contact patients whose appointment must be postponed.

At the red level, service levels are adjusted based on the epidemiology and local conditions in terms of human resources within facilities. Check the Network's website and social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) often for the most recent updates.

Wearing of mask in our points of service – KN95s now available

The Network has adjusted its guidelines on the wearing of masks in its points of service and is giving people the choice of wearing a medical mask or a KN95. When worn correctly, both types of masks provide an excellent level of protection.

Masks are mandatory for patients and designated support persons (DSPs) who enter our facilities (with the exception of children under 2). People are asked to remove their own mask and to put on a mask supplied by the Network, to ensure that everyone is wearing a clean, sterile mask.

Potential exposures, outbreaks and visitors

General visits remain suspended in all Network hospitals.

Visits by DSPs are also temporarily suspended at the Edmundston Regional Hospital and Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre and on several units in the Network’s other hospitals due to potential exposures to the COVID-19 virus or to outbreaks. Check the full list on our website.

The Network acknowledges that these restrictions are difficult for patients and families. They are in place to ensure the safety of patients, DSPs and health care workers. Whenever possible, the Network encourages people to use technology to stay in contact with their hospitalized loved ones.

Vaccination clinics

The Network is encouraging people to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to get their booster. The schedule and locations of our vaccination clinics are posted on the Network's website and are updated regularly.

Thank you for your cooperation

We thank the public for their cooperation, which is helping us keep the health care system operational through this 5th wave. Whether it’s by getting vaccinated, not coming to Emergency for a less serious issue, or delaying bloodwork that can wait, every small action helps and is appreciated.

Statistics

(As of January 24, 2022)

For up-to-date information, please visit the Network's website or follow us on our social media platforms.

Thank you for your cooperation with our various measures, which are necessary to protect the safety of our patients, staff, physicians and communities.