As Coronavirus (COVID-19) becomes more of a concern in our State, Calais Regional Hospital will institute visitor restrictions and illness screenings for those entering the facility as of March 18. An alternate entrance for suspect Coronavirus patients has also been established. These proactive precautions are to protect our patients, staff and the communities we serve.
Temporary changes to our Visitors Policy are being implemented. Restrictions include:
Visitors must be 12 years or older
Visitors must be free of flu like symptoms
No more than two visitors per patient.
Patients and visitors will be screened for symptoms of the flu and COVID-19. You will not be permitted to enter if you exhibit signs or symptoms of an influenza-like illness. These include:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
There will be designated staff at entrances to guide this process. Allow extra time if you are receiving outpatient services or visiting a patient. Patients entering through the ED entrance will process through the normal triage process. CRMS patients are being screened prior to appointments in the offices and upon arrival. We understand these screenings may be an inconvenience, but it’s an important step to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Last week the hospital established an alternate entrance for suspect Coronavirus patients to receive needed treatment or testing. The entrance is located near the Ambulance Bay of the Emergency Department. CRH has NOT had a positive test; however preparations such as this continue to move forward as the COVID-19 situation progresses. The separate entrance allows quick access to care with the least exposure to the community and staff. The process for patients who suspect they have COVID-19 is to call their primary care provider or the ED at 454-9213 for assessment and receive further instructions. If you are having a medical emergency and call 911, please be sure to tell dispatch there is a COVID-19 concern so emergency services personnel use the appropriate precautions.
These measures are part of taking every safeguard for maintaining the health of patients, staff, visitors and our community. We ask for the public’s patience and support of these temporary measures. Up to date information and guidance on COVID-19 is available on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.