May 31, 2023

Multiple sources of data confirm that COVID-19 has entered an endemic state in Ontario, including Public Health Ontario which also confirms Ontario is in a non-high risk period. This means the virus will continue to circulate in our communities at some degree for the long-term.

Community transmission and hospitalizations continue to decline because vaccination rates in our community are high and people have managed their infection without significant healthcare needs – keeping them out of hospital. We have tools to deal with surges in the healthcare system, if and when they arise. This variety of factors and effective treatments allow us to live safely with COVID-19 in the community and substantially lower the likelihood of transmission in health-care settings.

Watch Dr. Zain Chagla explain what endemic means and how we’ve learned to live with COVID-19

St. Joe’s continues to ensure that patients, visitors and healthcare workers have good protection from COVID-19 moving forward. We’ve learned a lot over the last three years and have a number of tools to protect our healthcare workers and the community, including vaccination, regular symptom screening, staying home when sick, and using enhanced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in certain areas. With these protections in place, we feel comfortable caring for COVID-19 patients the same way we manage influenza (i.e. flu) and other respiratory viruses.

Your next appointment at St. Joe’s may look different.

Healthcare workers will be using a tool called Point-of-Care Risk Assessment (PCRA) starting June 1. This means healthcare workers will consider each individual’s scenario, including the patient, environment and circumstances to assess what PPE is required for that situation. For example, if a patient is coughing or experiencing respiratory symptoms, healthcare workers will wear a mask and eye protection when providing care.

Watch Dr. Zain Chagla explain how healthcare workers use a Point of Care Risk Assessment to determine what PPE is required for each patient interaction.

This change follows recommendations from the regional subject matter expert table and are aligned with hospitals in the region.

There are some situations where masking will remain required, including healthcare workers following work self-isolation and those working in the Renal Transplant Unit. Additionally, patients with fever or respiratory symptoms will need to wear a mask (except their inpatient room/bed space).

St. Joe’s always supports those who mask

Masks will remain available for anyone at St. Joe’s. St. Joe’s respects that masking is a personal choice, and so, everyone choosing to wear a mask will always be supported. Masking is encouraged for patients and visitors.

At this point in time, the risk of virus transmission is low and stable, however, evidence will always inform our decisions to bring back universal masking.

If you have any questions, please speak with your healthcare team or Patient Relations.