Community Update – November 26, 2021

Situation Report

Friday, November 26, 2021

Vitalité Health Network is providing this situation report in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strike action by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). This report will be updated as needed, as the situation changes.

Service levels

The Network remains in recovery phase. We are adjusting our service levels to factor in staff shortages in several areas as well as COVID-19 safety restrictions that, for example, limit the capacity of a number of waiting rooms and points of service. The situation thus varies depending on the region and local conditions.

The Network prioritizes the health and safety of patients, staff and physicians when setting service levels.

Walk-in Phlebotomy clinics (blood tests)

Since Monday, November 22, the Network’s facilities in the Chaleur region and Acadian Peninsula have resumed walk-in phlebotomy services (as the Network’s facilities in other regions of the province are offering). Visit the Network’s website for the hours of operation of the phlebotomy clinics in each area.

Ban on visits maintained

The Network is maintaining a high alert level and continuing to apply measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our hospitals. This is why general visitation is still not allowed.

We recognize that these restrictions are difficult for patients and their families. Exceptions are in place for patients who are eligible to have a designated support person (DSP). Please visit the Network’s website for more information.

It’s now 5- to 11-year-olds’ turn to get vaccinated

It’s now 5- to 11-year-olds’ turn to get vaccinated! The Network will be holding vaccination clinics by appointment (administering the Comirnaty vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech) starting on Friday, November 26, 2021.

Eligible children should be vaccinated to limit the spread of COVID 19 and minimize disruptions to learning. To more information, visit the provincial government’s website or call 1-833-437-1424.

Vaccination rates: Our health care workers are answering the call

Our campaign to vaccinate the Network’s health care workers against COVID-19 is well underway. We thank our health care workers who have answered the call!

Network Overview

Percentage of fully vaccinated health care workers by facility

(As of November 22, 2021)

As of November 25, 2021, some 103 of the Network’s health care workers had been removed from work (on unpaid leave) for failing to follow the Government of New Brunswick’s mandatory vaccination policy.

With these health care workers spread out across the Network and with our contingency plans in place, this situation is not affecting service delivery. We are continuing to work with these individuals to increase our vaccination rate and reach 100 percent. We need all our health care workers!

Statistics

(As of November 26, 2021)

Please visit www.vitalitenb.ca and follow us on our social media platform for current information.

Thank you for your cooperation while we protect the safety of our patients, clients, employees and communities.