Published On: March 14, 2020
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Urges the Community to Use the Emergency Department Appropriately
(St. Thomas, ON) – St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital is being proactive to have a staged response to the COVID 19 pandemic.
We are asking members of the public to not come to the Emergency unless it is an emergency or urgent matter.
If you have not traveled, but are concerned about your symptoms, we encourage you to contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your primary care provider/family doctor; this will help keep our emergency room resources available for emergent care patients. Please only call 9-1-1 if you are severely unwell.
Travelers returning to Canada who develop respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing within 14 days of their return should contact Southwestern Public Health at 1-800-922-0096 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for further assessment and guidance.
We remind all residents of Elgin County that there are actions that they need to be taking every day in order to protect their health. These include:
- Washing your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Sneezing and coughing into your sleeve
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Stay at home if you are sick.