Waterloo Region & Wellington County | January 25, 2022 – Below is the Waterloo Wellington COVID Report for Tuesday, January 25, 2022 that local hospitals have committed to jointly providing on Tuesdays and Fridays. Today’s data, in comparison to the Waterloo Wellington COVID Report (January 21, 2022) tells much the same story—that a significant number of staff and patients across our hospitals continue to be impacted by COVID-19. Our current state presents daily challenges as the number of patients requiring hospitalization remains higher than the beds we have available. The number of staff unable to work due to COVID also remains similar to last week. All hospitals in Ontario continue to be under Directive 2 from the Chief Medical Officer of Health which mandated the ramp down of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures last month. Unfortunately, with the current pressure on hospitals, we are not able to say when we will be able to ramp up services again. We understand the concern and frustration that this has for patients who are waiting. “Our hospitals continue to feel considerable pressures for acute care beds and ICU beds. As a community, we remain committed to working as a system of care to support one another in caring for patients that require hospitalization across Waterloo Wellington. However, the same remains true: there are not enough beds for the number of patients who require care. Thank you to those in the community that have been extending gratitude and actions to say thanks to our teams in the hospitals. Given the impacts of COVID in this wave, many have been working additional and longer shifts to provide the necessary care, and it has been appreciated.” - Lee Fairclough, president, St. Mary’s General Hospital and Waterloo Wellington hospital regional lead, COVID-19 response.
If you are coming to the emergency department, care is prioritized based on need and the team will see you as soon as possible; be prepared to wait if your issue is not urgent. Please be patient and kind with our team members.
Important Guidelines for Visitors:
- MASKS are still required in the hospital at all times
- Do no visit a patient if you are ill
- Sanitize your hands often
Helpful information for parents with a child experiencing a respiratory illness: Click here: Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Tips
WANT TO VISIT A PATIENT? Click here to learn about care partner visits.
KNOW WHERE TO GO. If your issue is not urgent, there are other options available to you, click here.