Last updated: April 14, 2021
Welcome!
Welcome to CHEO! We know that information changes quickly during the pandemic and we’ve put together this page to help you find popular topics, questions and answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us at webmaster@cheo.on.ca and we’ll be happy to help.
You are safe when you come to CHEO and we always strive to deliver exceptional care. We hope you have a good visit onsite and wonderful day!
Coming to CHEO?
Fill out your online self-screening
Can't find what you're looking for?
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 ONE designated parents or caregivers present during the day and 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 additional 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 to ONE parent or caregiver at a time 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.
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. |
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What if my child or youth's condition has changed? |
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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. |
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 Brewer Test Result team only calls if you tested positive (also reported as “detected”). 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: High Risk ContactIf you are a high risk contact, and you test negative (not detected) for the virus, you need to continue isolating following Ottawa Public Health guidelines. You may need to get retested, as per Ottawa Public Health. If you develop symptoms after getting tested, you would also need to get retested. 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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Info for children & youth with medical complexities |
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April 13: CHEO is pleased to share that we’ve received a small quantity of the COVID-19 vaccine from the provincial government to be used for youth with medical complexities and their caregivers. To meet the needs of our most vulnerable patients and families, CHEO sought and has received approval from the provincial government to set up vaccination clinics for those who meet the criteria established by the provincial government. As a reminder, the government tells us who to vaccinate and when based on strict criteria that is mandatory across the province. We will call you. At this time, CHEO has vaccinated eligible youths between 16-18 years of age with complex care needs and up to two of their caregivers. If after reviewing the provincial criteria, you feel your family was eligible for this age group and you did not receive a call, please contact us at 613-737-7600 x6720 or your care team at CHEO to discuss your eligibility. The next group to be vaccinated will be caregivers of the highest risk population whose children are too young to receive the vaccine themselves. CHEO uses a phased approach: |
Pharmacy, medications and immunizations
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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Hot topics — asthma, development and rehabilitation, fever and more |
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Preventing the spread of infection |
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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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