On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global COVID-19 pandemic. This means that this novel coronavirus has spread across the world. When people come together, the risk of infection with COVID-19 increases. At Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) the safety of our patients, staff and visitors is our top priority.
If you think you have 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use this self-assessment to help determine if you need to seek further care. Before you come to the hospital, we also encourage you to call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000.
It’s more important than ever to work together to keep each other safe. The most important thing you can do is stay home and practise physical and social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. Helpful tips how you can do your part are available on the Ontario government's dedicated website.
Be assured that both hospital sites have put measures in place to protect the health of our patients, staff and physicians. While things may be done differently during this time, please know that our team remains dedicated to treating everyone with care and respect.
What to Expect
When you come to either site, you will be screened at the entrance with questions about symptoms and recent travel. There may be line-ups so please keep two metres (six feet) between you and others, and be patient with the screening questions. You will be asked to clean your hands with sanitizer, and required to wear a hospital-issued mask properly, covering your nose and mouth, for the entirety of your hospital visit.
| Number of patients with COVID-19 we are currently caring for at our hospitals: | 1 |
(Includes Huntsville and South Muskoka sites; table updated weekdays by 4pm)
COVID-19 Updates
| Emergency Departments Are Open |
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Our Emergency Departments are open 24/7. If you are a patient coming to the Emergency Dept., you will be assessed by the triage nurse. Providers are following public health direction for COVID-19 testing. If you have been tested for COVID-19 in the Emergency Dept. your test results will be reported to your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider and have not been contacted with your results after four days after having the test, please contact the hospital’s Health Records Department at ext. 2214 (Huntsville site) or ext. 3126 (South Muskoka site). |
| Visitors Restricted |
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MAHC is restricting all visitation at both sites effective Thursday, January 14, 2021 until further notice. Exceptions for visiting include special situations (obstetrical patients) and compassionate circumstances (palliative, critical patients). Send an Inpatient Your Best Wishes If you have a family member or friend currently in either of MAHC’s hospital sites, you can bring a smile to their face by using our complimentary best wishes service to get a message delivered to their bedside through a form on our website at www.mahc.ca/BestWishes/ |
| Elective Surgery & Procedures |
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MAHC has resumed elective surgeries and procedures that were paused mid-March when hospitals were directed to stop non-urgent procedures as part of a preparatory response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more in our news release. Patients awaiting surgery will be contacted by their physician’s office to be advised of their procedure date. An information sheet has been posted to help patients prepare for their procedure. Effective December 21, 2020 all surgical patients must have a COVID-19 swab completed. The surgeon's office will advise if a swab is necessary for your specific procedure. We regret that no one is permitted to accompany surgical patients on the day of surgery except for special circumstances where a support person is necessary. |
| Outpatient Services |
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We regret that no one is permitted to accompany outpatients for appointment except for special circumstances where a support person is necessary. Diagnostic Imaging: Elective X-rays, ultrasounds, mammograms, CT scans, bone density and nuclear medicine procedures have resumed. Appointments are required and patients will be contacted directly to be booked. An information sheet is available to help patients prepare for their appointment. Cardiorespiratory: Non-urgent cardiorespiratory appointments scheduling has resumed. Patients will be contacted directly to be booked. We have extended our hours of service to allow for patients to get their tests outside of regular business hours. Clinical Nutrition: Onsite appointments will be considered on an as-needed/individualized basis at both sites. Virtual appointments and phone appointments are available. Diabetes Education Program: Onsite appointments will be considered on an as-needed/individualized basis at both sites. Virtual appointments and phone appointments are available. |
| Unavailable Hospital Services During COVID-19 |
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In an effort to keep staff and physicians safe, contain community transmission of COVID-19, and preserve critical resources for when they are most needed, MAHC has made temporary changes to hospital operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following are current reductions:
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| MAHC COVID-19 Assessment Centre |
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MAHC's COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Bracebridge is not open for walk-in visits. Testing is by appointment only in line with eligibility requirements. Book your appointment by calling 1-888-383-7009. For more information on eligibility, and alternative testing sites, visit www.mahc.ca/COVID-19Testing/ |
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Community Vaccination Clinics |
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Community immunization clinics are now open in Simcoe Muskoka for eligible groups identified by the provincial government. To find out if you are eligible at this time, or to book an appointment, go the the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) website at www.smdhu.org. A family member or friend can book your appointment. For those without computer or Internet access, appointments can be booked by calling the health unit at 1-877-721-7520. Vaccination clinics are located in Barrie/Innisfil, South Simcoe, North Simcoe, the Couchiching area, South Georgian Bay and Muskoka, and will operate on rotating days. Appointments cannot be booked through the hospital. Bookings are coordinated only through the health unit. Traffic on the booking website and phone lines may require patience. Please note: Appointments are only available for those who are eligible, and clinics are not open for walk-ins. |
| News & Community Updates |
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CEO Blog: Looking forward after one year with COVID-19 - February 25, 2021 Muskoka Assessment Centres Open on Family Day - February 1, 2021 MAHC Restricts Visitors as Public Ordered to Stay Home - January 13, 2021 YourTV Video: Medical staff speak about COVID-19 vaccination - January 12, 2021 YourTV Video: A different Christmas according to MAHC clinicians - December 22, 2020 MAHC Assessment Centre COVID Testing Update - December 16, 2020 CEO Blog: Gratitude to Hospital Staff Looks Different This Holiday Season - December 7, 2020 CEO Blog: Take it From Us and Do Your Part to #StopTheSpread - October 27, 2020 Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit COVID-19 Impact Study - October 27, 2020 Muskoka COVID-19 Testing Locations Follow Changes to Testing Eligibility - September 30, 2020 Staff Case of COVID-19 - September 24, 2020 CEO Blog: MAHC COVID-19 Assessment Centre Update - September 4, 2020 Changes Coming to COVID-19 Testing in Muskoka - August 25, 2020 MAHC Eases Visiting Restrictions to Allow Essential Visitors for Inpatients - July 27, 2020 Elective Diagnostic Imaging Resuming at MAHC - July 9, 2020 Donation of Supplies Gratefully Appreciated - June 30, 2020 Video: 'Showing MAHC' (My Appreciation for Health Care) Celebration of Excellence - June 26, 2020 Gradual Resumption of Elective Surgeries Underway at MAHC - June 11, 2020 CEO Blog: Planning a Gradual and Cautious Ramp-up For Resuming Hospital Services - June 2, 2020 Video: Pandemic Community Support & Encouragement for Team MAHC - May 2, 2020 Board Chair Blog/Message to Our Communities - April 27, 2020 CEO Blog/Another Message to Our Communities - April 7, 2020 CEO Blog/Message to Our Communities About COVID-19 - March 25, 2020 MAHC Limits Outpatient Services and Programs - March 23, 2020 |
| More Information |
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Information about COVID-19 is changing quickly. Before coming to the hospital, please continue to check our website and MAHC Facebook and/or Twitter accounts (@MAHCHospitals) for updates. Read more information from Telehealth Ontario Read more information from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit |
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