Last updated: January 18, 2021
Coming to CHEO? Fill out your online self-screening
If you have questions about CHEO's COVID-19 response, call our hotline: 613-737-7600 extension 6720.
If you have general questions about the COVID-19 virus, visit the Ottawa Public Health website.
Parent/Caregiver presence policy
When parents and caregivers come with their children and youth to CHEO, they’re not visiting. They are actively working as part of their child’s care team, providing us with vital health information only they would know and giving emotional support in a way only a parent or caregiver can.
In order to help keep everyone safe and minimize the chance of transmission of infections during this pandemic, family caregivers will be screened before entering CHEO's main campus, and will not be allowed to enter if they are sick. All children, youth and family caregivers must enter through the main entrance for clinic visits, or the Emergency Department in urgent cases. Other entrances are closed.
Until further notice and effective immediately:
- To limit the number of people in the building, ONE parent/caregiver will be allowed to accompany children and youth while at CHEO, whether in clinic, the Surgical Day Unit or the emergency department.
- Children and youth who are admitted as inpatients may have two designated parent/caregivers who can be present during the day. Only ONE may be on site overnight. Only those who have been screened daily will be permitted at the bedside.
- Siblings who are not designated caregivers are not permitted. We appreciate that this requires you to make childcare arrangements for any siblings, and we are so thankful for your support in doing so.
- For some patients and caregivers (e.g. persons with disabilities), an essential support person may be allowed to aid patients and care teams. For patients and caregivers who require additional support, please contact your clinical area to determine if an exception can be granted. For Emergency Department (ED) visits, please discuss your need for an exception on arrival to the ED.
Given the seriousness of this pandemic, it is important that designated caregivers refrain from coming to CHEO if they are feeling unwell or displaying symptoms such as fever or cough. Rest assured, CHEO will find extra support for your child if you are unable to be onsite due to sickness.
Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and CHEO
If you are unable to find the answer you're looking for here, our Patient Experience Team is available to answer any of your questions about CHEO's COVID-19 response! Call 613-737-7600 extension 6720.
Remember, if you have general questions about the COVID-19 virus, call or visit the Ottawa Public Health website.
Increasing clinical services
When will I receive a call about rescheduling my child’s or youth’s appointment, test or procedure? |
We are currently increasing the number of scheduled services gradually and carefully – always with everyone’s safety top of mind. Surgery and medical imagingCHEO continues to reschedule postponed surgeries and medical imaging appointments based on medical need and urgency. When your surgery or medical imaging appointment is ready to be rescheduled, your care team will call with more information. In most cases, you will receive a call at least two weeks before your new surgery or medical imaging appointment time. You may receive less notice if your case is urgent or a spot becomes available sooner. We will also call you three days before for a pre-screening to ensure that your child or youth, and any close contacts, are not displaying symptoms of, or have risk factors for COVID-19. We may ask that you go for testing at this time, depending on the results of your screening. What about other areas at CHEO?All other areas at CHEO are working hard to plan for the safe and gradual increase of scheduled, in-person services. Teams continue to evaluate patient lists to understand which children and youth need to be seen more urgently. We will keep you up to date as this work progresses. We are regularly updating this page with new information on our safe and measured increase of in-person, scheduled services. |
Will CHEO continue to offer virtual appointments? |
Yes! During the slowdown required by COVID-19, our clinicians have offered virtual care for many of our clinical services across CHEO, ranging from speech therapy to neurology. We will continue with virtual care whenever it is possible, as encouraged by the province. In-person visits will continue when needed, including cases where children, youth and families are unable to connect virtually or would prefer to come in-person. |
What if my child's or youth’s condition has changed? |
If you feel your child's or youth's condition has worsened over this time, we encourage you to contact your family care provider for assessment. If the situation is urgent, please go to the nearest Emergency Department. Throughout the pandemic CHEO has been evaluating patient lists to make sure that all children and youth are seen when they need to be. We have continued to see children and youth with urgent medical needs in-person, or virtually when possible. |
Coming to CHEO
Frequently asked questions |
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What to expect when visiting CHEO: A step by step guide |
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CHEO is a safe place for children and youth, caregivers and staff. We want you to know exactly what to expect when you come for an in-person appointment. Here is a step-by-step guide of what to expect while our COVID-19 precautions are in place:
Arriving at CHEO
Main entrance screening and online screening
Getting to and from your appointment
That’s it! It’s our goal to help you feel as safe as possible when you’re coming to CHEO. We’d love to hear how your experience was returning to CHEO so please let us know on social media, or write to us at experience@cheo.on.ca CHEO Super HelpersHelp your child or youth prepare for their visit to CHEO during COVID-19 using a visual supports story developed by CHEO's Autism Program and Child Life specialists. |
Virtual care
Learn more about virtual care at CHEO |
Many clinics at CHEO are offering telephone and video appointments in some cases. To learn more, or prepare for your upcoming virtual clinic visit or emergency department visit, visit our Virtual Care page. |
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and preventing the spread of infection
Frequently asked questions |
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COVID-19 testing
COVID-19 testing for children and youth |
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View Ottawa's daily testing update COVID-19 CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer Park ArenaThe COVID-19 CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer Park Arena is an out-of-hospital testing site where children and youth (over two months old and under 18 years of age) can get tested for COVID-19 by a health-care provider. It is operated by CHEO, in partnership with The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), Ottawa Public Health (OPH), and the City of Ottawa. The COVID-19 CHEO Assessment Centre at Brewer Park Arena for children and youth (2 months to up to the day before their 18th birthday) is available by appointment only. For those requiring extra support for accessibility reasons, please contact CHEO’s Patient Experience team at 613-737-7600 x6720.
What to expect during your COVID-19 test at Brewer Park |
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How to find my results |
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We know that the results from your test(s) will impact your household, whether it’s getting better from your illness or returning to child care, school and work. We want you to know your results as soon as possible, but there are sometimes delays processing results because of high demand. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Will I get a call?The CHEO Test Result team only calls if you:
There are four ways to get your results:
Do I need to self-isolate?Ottawa Public Health (OPH) emphasizes that all patients who are tested for COVID-19 and their household contacts must continue to self-isolate while awaiting COVID results. Ending your isolation is outlined in this handout from OPH: More informationFor more information, including school forms (a form to help parents communicate with schools regarding their child’s testing), resources for self-care and mental health and more, visit the Ottawa Public Health website.
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COVID-19 vaccine
Frequently asked questions |
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Pharmacy, medications and routine vaccinations
Frequently asked questions |
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More resources
Parenting, mental health and wellness |
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Explaining COVID-19 to kidsParenting, coping and mental health
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Back to school |
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For children, youth and families
For health care professionals |
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Health information |
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Preventing the spread of infection |
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COVID-19 vaccine |
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Multilingual resources including Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun |
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Multilingual Resources for Diverse Communities During COVID-19 - Ottawa Public Health Inuktitut and InuinnaqtunWebsites and organizationsHandouts
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Local contacts and community partners |
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