Horizon hospitals and health care facilities to return to Red alert level next week October 8, 2021 In response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, including intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, all Horizon hospitals and health care facilities will return to our Red alert level protocols as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. These measures will be in place for two weeks and will be reassessed at that time. “While we are prepared to deal with surges and outbreaks, the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has proved to have a major effect on our already-stressed health care system,” said Dr. John Dornan, Horizon’s interim President and CEO. “Returning to these Red alert level protocols will allow us to redeploy staff to maintain our emergency services and ICUs, caring for COVID-19 patients and those who are critically-ill.” This means: Some non-urgent medical procedures and elective surgeries may be postponed. Our goal will be to ensure as many surgeries as possible can continue while also maintaining capacity in our ICUs and COVID-19 units. Horizon will contact all patients if their surgery is postponed and will call those affected to reschedule when the situation allows.Non-urgent Ambulatory Outpatient Clinics and professional service outpatient appointments, including therapeutic services, blood and specimen collection, diagnostic imaging (X-ray), electrodiagnostics and respiratory therapy, may also be postponed. Again, Horizon will contact all patients and clients if their outpatient appointment is postponed and will call those affected to reschedule when the situation allows.There will be NO VISITORS ALLOWED in our hospitals, as was announced on Oct. 7, and is effective as of today. Some exceptions to these visitor restrictions are in place for patients who are eligible for a designated support person. More information on visitor restrictions is available on our website.All patients, clients and support persons will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and asked a series of questions upon entry to our facilities. Everyone must: monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms before each visit, wash their hands, wear a mask and maintain physical distancing, where required.Patients are urged to seek alternate options for non-urgent health care needs, rather than presenting to an Emergency Department/Urgent Care Centre. Horizon’s priority remains ensuring essential, urgent and emergency services are maintained for its patients and clients while keeping its staff, physicians and communities safe. Horizon thanks the public and its dedicated staff and physicians for their invaluable cooperation and support. – 30 – For more information contact: Kris McDavidMedia RelationsHorizon Health Network1-877-499-1899Media@HorizonNB.cawww.HorizonNB.ca