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Back to SearchOct. 11, 2024 - Ottawa, ON. – Viral season can bring a triple threat for children and youth with seasonal influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but CHEO is prepared, re-introducing safety measures to ensure children, youth and families continue to receive exceptional care in our community.
CHEO will lean on proven public health measures like masking and hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of viruses inside the hospital. Starting Oct. 16, all families as well as staff, medical staff, learners and volunteers must wear a mask in all clinical areas where care is being provided, including waiting rooms. This viral season, CHEO will again limit the number of caregivers that can accompany patients to appointments to one, and won’t allow visitors (including siblings under 12 years old).
"Our priority will always be to protect the health and safety of children, youth and families, as well as our staff and medical staff at CHEO,” said Dr. Lindy Samson, CHEO’s Interim President and CEO. “We must all play our part in reducing the spread of viruses and ensuring a safe, happy and healthy fall and winter. That includes keeping vaccines up to date, maintaining proper hand hygiene, and wearing masks in crowded settings and when recovering from respiratory illnesses.”
For anyone who may not have access to a regular health-care provider, vaccine clinics are being held as part of the Kids Come First Vaccinate and Up-To-Date campaign. Appointments are available here.
Resources for parents and caregivers, which can help manage this viral season, are also available on the CHEO website.
Media contact
media@cheo.on.ca
About CHEO
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.