Lindsay, March 31, 2003

Consequently, measures implemented on Friday, March 28th, 2003, will remain in effect and include:
• The Hospital will be closed to visitors except for parents of children and visitors to critically ill patients.

• Access to the Hospital will be restricted to the Angeline Street entrance (during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m.) and the Kent Street Emergency entrance (24-hour access).

• All individuals entering the Hospital and the Hospital’s After Hours Clinic who require care or treatment will be screened upon arrival at the Hospital.

• All volunteer services have been suspended until further notice.

• All students, visits from non-essential agencies & representatives, PRE-NATAL Tours, etc. are suspended until further notice.

The Hospital is continuing to operate and all services are open to those who require care and treatment. However, at a Medical Advisory Committee meeting today (March 31st, 2003), it was decided that physicians in consultation with their patients may discuss whether elective pre-booked procedures can be deferred. The Hospital’s Emergency Department remains open, however, where appropriate, patients are encouraged to attend at their family physician’s office or the Hospital’s After-Hours Clinic.

All patients seeking care or treatment and visitors (who qualify to visit as noted above) are being asked questions related to their potential exposure to, and/or whether they have possible symptoms of, SARS. Patients and staff are being asked to wear masks as appropriate.

The Hospital is also requiring all patients and (qualified) visitors, as well as staff and physicians to sign in as they enter the Hospital. This is required for infection control purposes and may be reported to the Public Health Unit.

“In order to provide as much protection as possible to our patients, staff, physicians and visitors, these steps will remain in effect until further notice. Our situation will be re-assessed on a daily basis and if necessary, other measures will be implemented if they are deemed appropriate and necessary in order to help prevent an occurrence of SARS,” states Mr. Vines.