Provincial Health Officer Announces End of Respiratory Seasonseason

Posted on: April 8, 2024

Spring is a time for warmer weather, longer daylight hours and downward trends with respiratory illnesses. Despite the lower numbers of circulating viruses in the community, it is important to remain vigilant for the safety of your family, your colleagues and the patients, residents, or clients in your care. 

Dr Bonnie Henry sent out a bulletin ​this week, to all health authorities, announcing the end of the viral respiratory season:

WHAT HAS CHANGED 

FOR STAFF (including ambassadors, volunteers and contracted staff):

  • Universal masking is no longer mandatory. PPE choice, including masking, is returning to a point of care risk assessment (PCRA).  

  • Keeping vulnerable populations safe in our healthcare environments continues to be a priority. Current infection prevention and control best practices continue to be utilized to minimize risk of transmission, including using additional precautions and correct patient placement.

FOR VISITORS:  

  • Masking is optional for all visitors, unless there is a requirement for visitors to wear a mask because of the patient’s clinical situation - for example when a patient is on additional precautions. Staff will ensure that appropriate signage is visible at the entrance to the patients’ room or bed space and provide guidance to visitors on what PPE they should wear (according to the signage).  

  • As always, Island Health requests that visitors don’t visit their loved ones while they are ill.  It is important for staff to remind visitors of good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.  

  • Alcohol based hand rub and masks will continue to be available for visitors at entrances.  

  • ​Ambassadors are still in place to meet and greet our visitors and patients. ​

WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED 

Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers. 

COVID/Viral Respiratory Infection Screening Information in Powerchart. 

Thank you for your patience and flexibility and we transition to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic. ​

Please reach out to IPAC​, or email IPAC.enquiries@islandhealth.ca, with any questions or concerns.