Ottawa’s medical chiefs of staff are reminding the public if you need urgent care go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911.
Ottawa area hospitals say they appreciate that the public is taking the recommendations to stay home so seriously, but it should not come at the cost of your health or safety.
According to a media release, hospital staff is taking necessary precautions to ensure health and safety for patients, caregivers, staff and community. Staff is ready and able to care for people in the safest way possible.
The University of Heart Institute has maintained capacity to provide care for all cardiac emergencies and people should not ignore heart symptoms. Patients should keep in touch with their family doctor, and other specialists who manage their care. A virtual or phone consultation with a cardiologist may be done in some cases.
Home is not always a safe place people who have experienced sexual or intimate partner violence can contact Victim Services of Leeds and Grenville at 613-341-7700. There are also sexual assault programs run out of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).
The COVID-19 pandemic can bring on or worsen mental health and substance use issues, according to the media release. People can call Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health at 613-342-2262 for services. CHEO also offers mental health support to children and youth in need.
According to the release, many clinics at CHEO are connecting virtually with youth who have existing relationships with the care teams there. CHEO has seen a 70 per cent drop in new cases of diabetes in the last 30 days, and children who have gone to the Emergency Department are sicker than is expected normally. The release says while CHEO unfortunately continues to see new cases of childhood cancer, some of these children and youth are only coming in to be seen after the symptoms have been around for longer than they would usually see.