Information about COVID-19: updated visitor policy and Southlake COVID-19 Assessment Centre

New visitor policy

Southlake has reduced visiting hours to 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The number of visitors and support persons who can enter the hospital will also be limited to one person per patient. Some high-risk areas may not allow visitors. Visitors under the age of 18 will not be allowed in the hospital.

Enhanced patient and visitor screening

All patients and visitors will be screened before entering the hospital. You will be asked about any travel history and if you are experiencing any symptoms. Based on the results of the screening, some visitors may not be allowed to enter the hospital. If it is deemed that you require further medical attention, you may be directed to either the Emergency Department or Southlake’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre.

Restricted access and reduced number of entry points

To ensure the most efficient screening process, Southlake has currently restricted access to the main campus.

Main Hospital
Enter through the East main entrance (#1 on the map below) or the Level 2 Bridge in the West Parking Garage (#2 on the map below)

Medical Arts Building (MAB)
Enter through the North entrance – parking lot side (#3 on the map below) or through the Bridge (#4 on the map below)

Cancer Centre
Enter through the ground level lobby entrance (#5 on the map below)

This does not apply to patients going to the Emergency Department (ED). Patients who are going to the ED should continue to use the main ED entrance (#6 on the map above).

Our Volunteers

As the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to spread, effective tomorrow, March 16, we have decided to pause our Volunteer program at all of our hospital sites including our Gift Shop.

We are very grateful for your support and appreciate you understanding. We will keep you updated on when the volunteer program will resume.

Southlake’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre

Southlake has opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre located in the Ambulance Bay next to our Emergency Department.

If you think you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has 2019 novel coronavirus, please review the self-assessment tool developed by Public Health Ontario to help you determine if you need to come to our Assessment Centre:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-self-assessmentHours
9am to 9pm

How can I be seen at the Assessment Centre
If you have been advised to visit an Assessment Centre, come to main entrance of the Emergency Department at Southlake. You will be pre-screened by a nurse who will provide further instruction.

What happens at the Assessment Centre?
Patients sent to the Assessment Centre will be assessed by a physician, who will make a clinical determination if a test is required. If a test is required, the patient will be swabbed and the sample sent for processing. While awaiting results, patients will be given instructions on how to self-isolate at home.

If I am tested at the Assessment Centre, how will I find out the results?
Public Health will contact you to inform you of the result and provide any other necessary information.

If I am tested, how long will it take to get the results?
This will vary depending on the number of tests being performed. Patients will be advised to remain at home in self-isolation pending the results of their test.

It is important to note that not all patients who are sent to the Assessment Centre will be tested. Patients will be assessed by a physician who will make the clinical determination if a test is required.