“We are ranking with Peel and Toronto for infection rates and must immediately take action:” Lapaine

Only one visitor will be allowed at Bluewater Health for patients with the most serious cases starting Wednesday.

Bluewater Health officials say labouring mothers, paediatric patients, patients having urgent surgery or patients who are at the end of life will be able to have one consistent visitor in the hospital at both the Sarnia and Petrolia sites.

A news release issued by the hospital says the rules are consistent with other hospitals across the province and were put in place as Lambton County’s COVID-19 rates continue to rise.

Monday, statistics from the University of Toronto show Lambton has a COVID-19 rate of over 34.6 case of per 100,000, second only in the province to Windsor-Essex and higher than rates in the Greater Toronto Area.

“We recognize that patients and families are already feeling the impact
of isolation, and are doing our best to help patients and loved ones stay connected throughout these restrictions,” says Mike Lapaine, CEO of Bluewater Health.

“We must do everything we can to quickly alter our trajectory. We are ranking with Peel and Toronto for infection rates and must immediately take action.”

Officials say the hospital is trying to keep patients in touch with virtual visits.