Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ

The World Health Organization has officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The safety of all patients and staff is of the utmost priority and since the outbreak of COVID-19, our staff at Registration and at Emergency Triage are screening patients specifically about symptoms related to the virus, as well as people who have travelled out of country.

SMH has been in regular contact with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, other hospitals, and provincial representatives to ensure proper monitoring and surveillance of the virus, and how we can work together to manage any potential cases. Communication between the hospitals and public health is regular and ongoing.   

Coronavirus FAQ

What is coronavirus?
The coronavirus comes from the same family that can lead to the common cold.  The human coronavirus is the same virus that caused the outbreak of SARS in 2002-2003 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012-2017.

Coronaviruses are known for their ability to change and evolve, similar to the yearly influenza virus.
 

What are the symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Symptoms include fever, cough that's new or worsening, sore throat, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing chills, stuffy, runny or congested nose, loss of taste or smell, headache that's unusual or long-lasting, digestive issues, muscle aches, extreme tiredness that is unusual, falling down often.  

How are patients screened for COVID-19 at SMH?
All patients are screened at the main entrance of the Hospital in the OPP Community Safety trailer and are asked to put on a mask (provided) before entering the Hospital. Patients that come in to the Emergency Department are triaged by a nurse also. Part of the triage is an Infection Control Screening which has specific questions that would assist in determining a person under investigation (PUI).

Is Stevenson Memorial Hospital a safe place to visit?
Yes. Stevenson Memorial Hospital is safe to visit. We are taking every precaution to ensure our facility and staff remain safe. If you do not need to visit, or are unwell and not in need of medical attention, please do not come to the Hospital.

I am due to give birth in the near future. Can I have visitors or more than one support person?
Our visiting protocol has been updated to help decrease volume in the Hospital as we focus on the people who are in need of our care. Patients in the obstetrics unit are able to have one support person, but there is no time restriction (24/7).

This also counts as the patient’s visitor. They cannot have an additional visitor during visiting hours.