Bluewater Health has updated its COVID vaccination policy, and will now require all designated care partners to be immunized to visit a patient in Sarnia and Petrolia.
The change comes into effect as of November 1, 2021, and general visitation is not allowed at this time.
A designated care partner is someone selected by the patient who provides essential physical, emotional, and social spiritual support.
Bluewater Health said those with double vaccination will be approved over those with no vaccination.
In the rare instances where there are no care partners available with vaccination, testing at the door with a negative result will be required.
Hospital spokesperson Julia Oosterman said Sarnia-Lambton has experienced a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, currently having the highest provincial case rate per 100,000 population and the lowest vaccination rates.
The mandate is consistent with the broader vaccination requirements in place at the hospital where each entrant is required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
That includes staff, professional staff (doctors, dentists, midwives), volunteers, contractors, and now designated care partners.
