Ontario
Canada: Ontario eases long-term care visitor restrictions after COVID-19 hospitalizations drops
Ottawa/IBNS: Visitor restrictions at Ontario long-term care homes are being eased as public health indicators are starting to improve and the rate of hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 continues to follow a downward trend of 2,634.
Ontario Ministry of Health said Friday morning that as of Thursday the number of people with COVID-19 infection in the province's hospitals was 2,634, down from 2,797 the day before and 3,535 at the same time last week.
Starting on Monday, each resident will be allowed to have four designated caregivers, an increase from two, although only two can visit at a time.
Residents who have received at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be permitted to resume social day trips.
The restrictions, including not allowing general visitors to access long-term care facilities became effective in late December due to a COVID-19 surge caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said healthcare indicators suggest a general improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the province.
"There's also been an increase of wastewater sites across the province reporting a downward trend in COVID-19 detection," Moore said.
"These trends are encouraging, but we must remain vigilant and adhere to the measures that are helping reduce transmission," he added.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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