COVID-19 News and Updates

In consultation with public health authorities, the COVID-19 outbreak at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) has been declared over.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) has identified cases of hospital-acquired COVID 19. This means that, effective immediately, SLMHC will limit visitors to a maximum of two (2) per patient. For more info, click here.

As of October 14, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) is officially no longer in a COVID-19 outbreak. The outbreak was declared over after 10 days of no new positive cases directly related to the outbreak.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) has identified two (2) positive cases of COVID-19 in-hospital. Effective immediately, visitation will be limited at SLMHC to two (2) designated visitors per patient. Click here to read more.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) is introducing wellness screening stations at all entrances, effective on Monday, March 28. Additionally, SLMHC will also be reopening the Ambulatory Care entrance, effective Monday, March 28. Click here to read more!

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) is officially no longer in a COVID-19 outbreak. The outbreak has been declared over after 10 days of no new positive cases directly related to the outbreak.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in one section of the hospital.  The outbreak on the southpod wing of the inpatient unit was declared on Tuesday in collaboration with the Northwestern Health Unit.

Due to the rapidly changing environment, and the dramatic increase in positive COVID-19 cases in our region, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) is introducing new visitor restrictions, as well as pausing non-urgent procedures, effective January 5, 2022.

SLMHC is requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all visitors, escorts and essential care partners starting January 5, 2022. Additionally, everyone entering the hospital will be asked to wear a hospital-issued medical mask.

As Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) prioritizes the health and safety of everyone at the hospital and long-term care facility, the organization is updating its COVID-19 immunization policy to require all staff, physicians, learners, contract care/service providers, support workers and volunteers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 31, 2022.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health issued Directive #6, which has mandated that high-risk settings, such as hospitals, must have COVID-19 vaccination policies in place by September 7, 2021.

As the province of Ontario has entered Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen, here at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) we are lifting some of the visitor restrictions in place.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) is staying the course with its visitor restrictions and following best practices set out by Ontario’s public health officials.

Last week, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a revised directive and advised that all hospitals, including those in the northern health region of the province, pause all non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures. Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) is following this directive and is pausing non-urgent surgeries/procedures.

Yesterday, Premier Ford announced a 28-day State of Emergency in Ontario beginning at 12:01 am on January 14, 2021. Policies at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) will be adjusted to assist with provincial efforts to reduce transmission.

It was a historical moment today for Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) as we administered the first Health Canada approved COVID-19 Moderna vaccine at the William A. George Extended Care Facility (ECU). The first resident to receive the vaccine was Eunice Fiddler, 85. Joining her was her daughter, Margaret Beardy, SLMHC Interpreter Tom Chapman, and Andrea McWatters, RPN Team Lead, who administered the vaccine.

This week, the first COVID-19 vaccines will be administered at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre’s (SLMHC) William A. George Extended Care Facility (ECU). The residents and front-line staff are the first to receive the Health Canada approved Moderna vaccine in Sioux Lookout, marking the start of Ontario’s vaccination implementation plan for our region.

December 3, 2020 – Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) continues to stay prepared for a potential increase of COVID-19 in our region. With this in mind, SLMHC is implementing some changes at the hospital and William A. George Extended Care facility (ECU) to protect our clients, patients, residents, staff and physicians. These changes are specifically focused on decreasing the amount of traffic in and out of the hospital, and will directly impact our policies on patient passes, visitors/essential care partners and smoking.

Every year, our Residents at William A. George Extended Care Facility love to see the trick-or-treaters. This year, with COVID-19, things will be a little different… but don’t worry, we’ll still have candy!

The Sioux Lookout COVID-19 Assessment Centre, operated by Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) will be moving to its new location next to the hospital’s emergency entrance, effective Tuesday, October 13, 2020.

After months of residents of the William A. George Extended Care Facility (ECU) being confined to the facility during the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent announcement from the Ministry of Long-Term Care has made it possible for residents to leave the premises for day trips and overnight visits.

At Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC), we continue to review how to best provide our services during this global pandemic. Many outpatient and non-urgent services were suspended in the spring of 2020, and planning has been underway to re-introduce these services in a slow and steady manner. During this time, we want to keep you well-informed and safe; especially as Ontario operates in stage three of re-opening the province under various restrictions.

As previously announced, SLMHC has seen a recent cluster of positive COVID-19 test results. Early last week, three patients were admitted to hospital for other reasons and tested positive for the virus. This testing was completed as part of our hospital protocol prior to procedures and/or transfer of these patients to other health facilities. Additionally, in the same timeframe we became aware of a positive result among our staff. All protocols for isolation and contact tracing were implemented.

At Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC), we remain thankful that the presence of the COVID-19 virus within the catchment area that we serve has been minimal. This is a direct result of the precautions taken by each community, our organization, as well as our partner organizations in health. At this time, we wish to update the public on new, positive cases in our region and how this is impacting SLMHC.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) received notice of a new positive case of COVID-19 in Sioux Lookout. We understand the individual is self-isolating at this time. The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) will follow its processes in the coming days.

Late last week, the Ontario government announced a proactive surveillance testing initiative to protect residents of long-term care homes across the province. In alignment with this initiative, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre is implementing a plan to conduct COVID-19 tests on all residents and staff at the William A. George Extended Care Facility.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic announcement, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) implemented its full pandemic plan in early March. Since that time, our team has been collaborating with partners at the local, regional, provincial and federal levels to plan for the needs of everyone we serve.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) is working with the Ministry of Health, Northwestern Health Unit and Ontario Health North to develop a COVID-19 assessment site on the SLMHC health campus.

Update on COVID-19 at SLMHC. Click here to view the latest news and message from our President and CEO, Heather Lee.