St. Joseph's Hospital in uptown Saint John. (Image submitted by St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation)
The two health authorities in New Brunswick will require visitors to show proof of vaccination before they enter hospitals or healthcare facilities.
These measures are implemented to preserve the healthcare system, according to a news release issued on Wednesday afternoon.
Visitors of Horizon Health Network are immediately subject to the new proof of vaccination rules. Vitalité Health Network said only persons who have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days can enter their facility, starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday.
To be clear, these requirements do not apply to patients.
Visitors that have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can expect to face a series of screening questions.
Both health authorities stated these preventive measures aim to reduce the number of admissions.
“We must be ready to face an increase of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the days and weeks to come. It is thus important for us to get prepared and ensure that we have the flexibility necessary to react quickly as needed,” said Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO of Vitalité Health Network.
Horizon said occupancy rates for each of their five regional hospitals is above 85%, which is considered high.
Neither health network has announced any reductions in service caused by the fourth wave of COVID-19.
“We are closely monitoring our health care system, including our ability to manage urgent and COVID-19 cases, while maintaining essential services to the population,” said Desrosiers.
“However, we must be prepared to temporarily reduce certain services, including ambulatory care services, professional services, diagnostic imaging services and surgical services, if necessary.”
In addition to new measures, Horizon Health Network said their COVID-19 Assessment Centres are experiencing an increase in testing requests, and some New Brunswickers may have to wait days for an appointment.
Individuals who are a close contact with a confirmed positive case and those who are symptomatic are prioritized, according to Horizon.
The Health Network said the centres have increased hours of operation, and alternative testing options are being explored.
