Officials at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) say staff continue to work diligently to screen everyone coming into the Barrie hospital.
RVH offered a message to the local community on Twitter this morning.
"Thank you to the people of the community who are staying home and practising social distancing. We are all in this together."
The tweet included the hash tag #ShowRVHLove.
Effective today (Tuesday, March 24), RVH also closed the Atrium entrance to support the safety of patients and staff. Anyone heading to the hospital is asked to use the main entrance where they will be screened. The emergency department remains open for those who require emergency care.
RVH has also implemented strict visitor restrictions. No visitors are allowed, with the exception of the emergency department, pediatrics, neo-natal intensive care, and the birthing unit, where one adult visitor is permitted. The only other exceptions are for compassionate reasons.
Anyone who feels unwell is urged not to visit anyone in the hospital. If you suspect you have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, you are not to go to the emergency department. Contact your primary care provider.
If you have symptoms, you can also go to the COVID-19 assessment centre at 490 Huronia Rd. The assessment centre does not do testing for the virus.
If your symptoms worsen and you require urgent medical attention, go to the emergency department where you will be screened upon arrival
Non-urgent surgeries have been postponed, as well as outpatient procedures, exams and clinic visits.
