COVID-19

Calvary Adelaide Hospital cancels visitation effective immediately

By Kelly Noble

Posted on November 16, 2020

In the wake of the weekend’s COVID-19 community transmissions in South Australia, Calvary Adelaide Hospital has cancelled all general visitation effective immediately.

They issued this statement on Facebook in relation to their decision:

Calvary Adelaide Hospital will be stopping all general visitation from 11.59pm 15 November 2020, in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation in South Australia rapidly changing. We have made this change in order to effectively manage the risk of infection and protect the health of patients, their friends and family members and staff.

Calvary does not take this decision lightly. With SA Health reporting growing instances of community transmission of COVID-19 in Adelaide, we must introduce this measure to ensure the safest possible environment for the vulnerable people in our care.

What does this mean for patients and their families?

• Calvary will be stopping all general visitation from 11.59pm 15 November 2020. This means that from midnight yesterday no general visitation will be permitted at the hospital until further notice.

• Exceptions for obstetrics and paediatrics patients. Admitted babies and children (0-17 years) may have one (1) parent/carer present at all times.

• For patients who are at end of life, there may be exceptions to visitation restrictions. If you or a loved one are receiving palliative care or are at end of life, please contact the hospital to discuss whether an exceptional visit can be arranged.

• Our staff will be wearing facemasks. Due to heightened risk, our staff will be required to wear a surgical facemask at all times. Any visitor who is permitted entry as a special exception will be required to wear a facemask at all times.

• Any person entering will be required to have their temperature checked by staff before entry. Fever is one of the symptoms of COVID-19 and any person with a temperature (greater than 37.5 degrees Celsius) presents a potential risk of transmitting the virus to others.

To protect patients and staff from COVID-19 infection, we have had to act quickly. The cooperation of patients and family members in helping our staff manage the risk of infection to the people in our care has been excellent. We will continue to keep you updated as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

For up-to-date information for all patients and their loved ones, please visit Calvary’s COVID-19 updates site regularly at: www.calvarycoronavirusupdates.org.au

Please don’t hesitate to contact the hospital should you have any questions or would like more information. Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding in this difficult time.

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild, seek testing immediately. For a list of testing sites visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidtesting