COVID-19

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health has announced COVID-19 testing for outbound international travelers will no longer be funded by the province. Area residents will no longer be able to book a test at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Bracebridge if the reason for the test is travel.

As COVID-19 cases increase in the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit catchment area, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has revised the visiting requirements at our two hospitals to keep patients and staff safe and limit the risk of infection.

Earlier this year, our collective sacrifices helped flatten the curve of COVID-19. But the growing case count is a warning that our hard-won progress is slipping away. Our collective commitment to containing the virus is particularly critical given the steep increase in daily positive cases, growing number of hospitalizations and limited acute care capacity.

The Province of Ontario has made significant changes to eligibility for COVID-19 testing.  Testing locations in Muskoka will follow the latest provincial guidance by the Ministry of Health for prioritizing those individuals who are at greatest risk.

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has been notified of a confirmed COVID-19 case of a staff member. While privacy legislation does not allow access to and disclosure of specifics, it has been confirmed that the acquisition was through a close contact and did not occur in the workplace at MAHC.

In line with provincial direction, effective Monday, April 12, 2021, MAHC has been directed to cancel scheduled, non-emergency surgeries and procedures.

I have taken to my blog to clarify and correct misinformation circulating in the community to foster a greater understanding of the COVID-19 assessment centre situation in Muskoka. I want to emphasize that the hospital’s core mandate is to provide emergency and acute care services at two hospital sites. 

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is stepping up to oversee future operations of COVID-19 assessment and testing in Muskoka.

As the hospital slowly resumes activities and the local rate of community transmission of COVID-19 remains low, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is pleased to reintroduce essential visitation for inpatients by their Designated Care Partner during visiting hours.

Three months ago, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) banded together with its two hospital foundations to establish a process for community donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other supplies to assist the hospitals through the COVID-19 pandemic.