by: elizabeth payne
two ottawa hospitals say they strongly encourage vaccination among staff but will not follow the lead of a toronto hospital and mandate negative covid-19 tests for those who are not vaccinated.
university health network, the province’s largest hospital network, announced the new policy last week. it is to be fully in effect by aug. 9.
the hospital will require staff to report whether they have been vaccinated, whether they have a medical exemption or they have declined to share their status or won’t be vaccinated.
those who don’t share their status or have not been vaccinated will be given at-home covid-19 tests to be completed and reported 48 hours before they come to work.
the ottawa hospital said that more than 90 per cent of physicians and residents and more than 85 per cent of staff have had two doses of covid-19 vaccine.
the hospital said it will continue to follow provincial guidelines.
“while there are currently no requirements for negative covid-19 tests for staff entering the hospital, we will continue to follow provincial guidelines on screening for all staff, and explore all options to ensure the safety of everyone in the hospital,” said spokesperson michaela schreiter.