Healthcare providers in Peterborough urge patients to wear non-medical masks for in-person medical appointments

Peterborough, ON – As our community enters into Stage Two of the provincial reopening, Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT), Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) are asking all patients over the age of two (2) to wear a non-medical mask when attending in-person appointments.

The Ministry of Health recommends a face covering – a non-medical mask – to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission when social distancing or keeping two metres distance is challenging. A mask will help prevent the spread of illness from yourself to others, including other patients and your healthcare team. It also helps us to preserve certified personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and support staff.

Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT)

Family doctors and nurse practitioners who are part of the PFHT are open and ready to help patients who need medical attention. PFHT is currently offering virtual/phone assessments as well as safe, in-person appointments when needed. Seeking timely medical attention can help prevent unnecessary complications that could result in a visit to the Emergency Department.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre

With ongoing community support for PRHC’s #PTBO1000MaskChallenge, the hospital has distributed more than 20,000 donated handmade masks to patients and visitors since the beginning of April. PRHC continues to provide all patients and visitors with a handmade mask when they go through entrance screening. Fabric masks are made to be washed and reused. If you are coming to the hospital on a regular basis, please bring your freshly-cleaned mask back with you to use for each visit.

Making and caring for your mask

Interested in making a mask? You can find instructions here. Interested in purchasing a non-medical mask? You can find a list of several local organizations in Peterborough who are currently making and selling fabric masks here. If you are not able to sew or purchase a non-medical mask, you can find alternative face covering options here, as recommended by Peterborough Public Health. It’s important that you wear and care for your mask correctly to ensure it’s as effective as possible. Learn more.

Thank you to everyone for doing their part to help contain and prevent the spread of illness in our community as healthcare providers work hard to meet additional demand on the system.

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For more information:
Ingrid Saravia | Program Facilitator, PFHT | ingrid.saravia@peterboroughfht.com
Brittany Cadence | Communications Manager, PPH | bcadence@peterboroughpublichealth.ca
Michelene Ough | Director, Communications, PRHC | mough@prhc.on.ca