St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital reinstating masking in patient-care areas
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) is reinstating masking in patient-care areas for staff, physicians, and volunteers effective Wednesday, Oct. 4.
Hospital officials say this change aligns with Public Health Ontario‘s guidance as well as other hospitals in the South West region.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s) are also adjusting masking guidelines.
Patients and visitors are required to wear a mask in waiting rooms and when interacting with health care providers. Masks are strongly recommended in public spaces, but not required.
Outpatients with respiratory symptoms must wear a mask at all times while in hospital.
Patients and visitors are required to sanitize their hands when entering the hospital. Visitors who feel unwell should refrain from visiting until they are well.
Masks will continue to be available at main entrances and in care settings.
Correction
In the video story above, it is stated the outbreak is on the fourth floor at St Thomas Elgin General Hospital — the outbreak is in fact in the continuing care centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Financial intel agency hands down $7.4M penalty to Royal Bank of Canada
Canada's financial intelligence agency has levied a $7.4-million penalty against the Royal Bank of Canada for administrative violations.
NEW 'Significant increase' in sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, Statistics Canada reports
Statistics Canada is reporting a 'significant increase' in rates of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) last year. The report also states instances of sexual assault were more prevalent among women.
Texas man sentenced to 14 years for exploiting eastern Ontario child he met in online video game
A 35-year-old man from Texas has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for luring a minor from the city of Quinte West, Ont.
Eating disorder hospitalizations among boys increased 416 per cent over 17 years: Canadian study
Over the last 17 years, the number of eating disorders among boys has seen a shocking increase, ballooning to 400 per cent higher than the number seen in the early 2000s.
Canada's GOAT, Christine Sinclair, is retiring. These are just some of her accomplishments
Ahead of Christine Sinclair's final international game, being played in Vancouver on Tuesday, here are just some of the athlete's accomplishments over the years.
Israel strikes in and around Gaza's second-largest city in a bloody new phase of the war
Israel intensified its bombardment in and around Gaza's second-largest city Tuesday, sending ambulances and private cars racing into a local hospital carrying people wounded in a bloody new phase of the war.
4 Chestermere city councillors, including mayor, dismissed by Alberta government order
Four members of Chestermere city council, including the mayor, have been dismissed by Alberta’s government due to alleged irregular and improper governance of the city.
Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' tops weekly charts for 1st time in 63 years
The number-one song this week is one that was recorded in 1958. 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' by Brenda Lee tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time.
Prince Harry challenges decision to strip him of security in Britain after he moved to U.S.
A lawyer for Prince Harry on Tuesday challenged the British government's decision to strip him of his security detail after he gave up his status as a working member of the royal family and moved to the United States.