Vitalité Health Network’s points of services move to orange level

Bathurst, Monday, June 20, 2022 – Vitalité Health Network’s points of service move to the orange level today. Health measures remain in effect, but this change is allowing general visitation to resume for patients under certain conditions.

A changing situation

“The downward trend in the COVID-19 positivity rate combined with the substantial reduction in the number of outbreaks in our health facilities is allowing us to move to the orange level effective today,” explained Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO of the Network. 

She reminded people, however, that COVID-19 remains present and that they must continue being very cautious. “The Network is monitoring the situation closely and will adjust again if things change,” she added.

Health measures

Health measures remain in effect in all the Network’s points of service, i.e. controls at facility entrances, masking, physical distancing and handwashing. The Network thanks all patients and visitors for their valuable cooperation in following these preventive measures.

General visitation

The most notable change to come with this move to the orange level is the return of general visitation from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Inpatients can continue to choose to have a designated support person (DSP), whose role is different from that of a visitor and who can be present on a flexible schedule.

  • Only one visitor or DSP at a time is allowed at the patient’s bedside; exceptions can be made for patients needing assistance.
  • Visitors must answer the screening questions asked at the entrance and be fully vaccinated. 
  • Visitors must follow the health measures in effect, in particular, physical distancing and handwashing. 
  • Visitors must limit their interactions with staff, patients and other visitors. They must leave the patient’s room when staff are performing procedures.
  • Visitors must only visit one patient during their visit.
  • Staff may at any time restrict the number of visitors or the length of visits to maintain physical distancing.
  • Visits may be suspended when a unit is experiencing an outbreak or for other reasons outside our control.

Guidelines for Visitors and Designated Support Persons.

The Network is pleased to once again welcome visitors into our facilities while at the same time keeping our patients and staff safe.