Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): What You Should Know

The health and safety of our patients and employees is important to us. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and have plans in place to manage the effects of the pandemic on our services. Our medical employees have been trained at screening for and managing infectious diseases.

People with cancer often have weakened immune systems. Having a weak immune system makes it harder for the body to fight off diseases, so it's important for people with cancer and their family members to closely follow steps to protect themselves, especially when it comes to frequent hand-washing. We recommend you speak with your doctor if you have concerns about your risk for COVID-19 being higher as a result of current or past cancer treatment.

Our visitor policy has been updated due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Please speak to our patient liaisons for a information related to our updated visitor policy or click on this link: Visitors policy

What is DMO doing to protect patients and visitors?

We are screening patients/visitors, at the time of booking, by asking about their recent travel and where the people close to them have traveled, as well as about any signs of illness.

On arrival, we are screening patients and visitors. This includes the completion / presentation of your Visitor Questionnaire, disinfecting and the taking and recording of your temperature.

To protect our patients and staff and ensure that healthcare providers are available to care for patients, DMO has instituted new employee guidelines on both business and personal travel that are in effect until further notice.

What do I need to know if I am going to an appointment or visiting a DMO unit?

If you have cold or flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, body aches, or chills), you must call your doctor's office before coming to the cancer centre, even if you have an appointment. Tell them about any recent travel history and your symptoms. Also, if your friends and family have any cold or flu-like symptoms, they should not visit or come with you to the cancer centre at this time.

For your protection, we are currently limiting the number of visitors and/or people coming with you to no more than one at a time. If a visitor shows cold or flu-like symptoms, they will be asked to leave.

What should I do if I was potentially exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you were notified by your local health department of a potential exposure to someone with COVID-19 and have no symptoms, call your doctor's office to tell them about the exposure. They will give you instructions on what you should do. If you have cold or flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, body aches, or chills), you must notify your cancer care team before coming to the cancer centre.

How can I protect myself from getting COVID-19?

You can protect yourself from COVID-19 the same way you would from other respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu.

• Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• When possible, avoid crowded areas and sick people.
• Keep shared spaces clean, especially if there is a sick person around you, by wiping down desks, countertops, doorknobs, and other shared surfaces with a disinfectant.

With acknowledgement to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre with reference to this content.