COVID-19 Updates

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Your safety is our biggest priority

At IWK Health because of the patients and families we serve, we continue to require enhanced measures even as the provincial COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. These ongoing measures remain in place to ensure safety for all as we continue to navigate reopening. They may include pre-screening before your appointment or admission, masking when you come on site, testing when you’re admitted, and limits on the number of support persons who can come with you.

If you have questions before your arrival about your appointment or admission, you may contact your health care team directly.

Latest support person limits

There are differences in the physical layout where care is being provided. These differences impact our ability to practice appropriate physical distancing therefore we have taken a location-by-location approach to support person limits. 

Patients and support persons who have recently been positive for COVID-19

At IWK Health, patients and support persons will be considered COVID recovered only at least 10 full days after the date symptoms started or after the date of a positive test.

Patients and caregivers are asked to please let care teams know if they have recently tested positive and are still within the 10-day timeframe. If a support person is still within the 10-day time period, we ask that you please choose an alternate support person who is not currently positive for COVID-19.

While in a community setting, Nova Scotia Public Health guidance regarding COVID-19 isolation applies.

Important reminders for all patients and support people:

• All family/support persons should self-screen for illness prior to visiting the health centre and avoid entering if feeling unwell.

• Masking is now only required in the following care areas:

• Emergency Department
• Early Labour &Assessment
• Inpatient units

• Staff will continue to mask during direct care interactions where patients and families choose to wear masks.

• All family/support persons or family caregivers must go directly to and from the patient’s room or visit location and should remain there for the duration of the visit.
• Family/support persons or family caregivers may go directly outside for fresh air/walks when self-isolation is not required for any reason for the support person (they may accompany patients who are not on Additional Precautions at the discretion of their healthcare team).

The IWK encourages the public to continue to do the things that keep themselves and their families healthy and well. This includes seeking support for time-sensitive care and for any concerning symptoms or issues that may arise.

Please continue to have your child vaccinated according to schedule.

Please continue to attend well-child visits or contact your primary care provider or pediatrician if there are concerns about things like development, feeding or growth.

If your child has acute or chronic health issues and there are new or worsening symptoms or issues, there are a number of options: 

• Please contact your primary care provider, pediatrician or specialist providing care for your child to arrange virtual or if needed, onsite care.
• The IWK Emergency Department is open 24/7 should you need to bring your child in for emergency care. Extra precautions have been taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. Patients are screened upon arrival and may be asked to wear a mask. Patients with possible infections are separated from those coming to the Emergency Department for other reasons. Strict infection prevention and control measures are in place to keep patients and families safe.