Our Ongoing Response to COVID-19 | Regional HIV/AIDS Connection

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Our Ongoing Response to COVID-19

PrEP Clinic Services Available by Phone

RHAC's next scheduled PrEP Clinic (April 3, 2020) will be provided by phone. After that time, the mode of delivery for our bi-weekly PrEP Clinic (i.e. phone appointments vs. in-person appointments) will be determined based on the most current information available about COVID-19 and municipal, provincial and federal health recommendations. We will be sure to share updates accordingly. Thank you for your ongoing flexibility, understanding and support during this time.

 Changes to Phone System at 186 King St.

March 23, 2020

Changes to Phone System at 186 King St. | Effective March 23, 2020, calls to RHAC’s main phone lines at (519) 434 1601 or toll-free at 1 (866) 920-1601 will be handled through our automated messaging service. You will be provided with guided instructions for leaving your message on staff extensions. Messages will be checked regularly and responded to as soon as possible. Please note that you will still have the option to leave a message on our general agency mailbox, send emails directly to staff, or email RHAC at info@hivaidsconnection.ca. All other RHAC services remain unchanged from last week's announcement. 

Changes to RHAC Reception Service

March 19, 2020

[Update: Effective March 23, 2020, calls to our main phone lines (519) 434 1601 or toll free 1-866-920-1601 will be handled through our automated phone messaging service and you will provided with guided instructions for leaving your messages on staff extensions. Messages will be checked regularly and responded to as soon as possible.]

Please be advised that our reception service at RHAC's 186 King St. location has changed and the main door entrance will be locked. In lieu of dropping into our physical office space, we ask that our community members seeking supports please call ahead at (519) 434-1601 to arrange a time to visit. We want to ensure we are able to meet your needs as staffing levels may change day to day. All requests for on-site service visits will be subject to COVID-19 screening measure prior to access.

If the line is busy, please feel free to leave a message and someone will return your call as quickly as possible. If you are calling outside the hours of 9am-5pm, please leave a message or contact us by email at info@hivaidsconnection.ca and someone will follow up within the next business day. In addition, RHAC staff are being supported to work remotely and can be reached via the contact information listed on our Staff Directory: www.hivaidsconnection.ca/contact/staff-directory.

Our North Entrance for Counterpoint and Carepoint service users will remain accessible with continued COVID-19 screening measures in place.

It is a difficult decision for RHAC to restrict our front reception services. However, we believe that ensuring the health and safety of staff and community will allow us to continue to make a positive impact during this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

Screening 

March 18, 2020

Please be aware that as a safety precaution, we will be screening visitors for symptoms at RHAC locations. For information on COVID-19 symtpoms, vist here.

Our Ongoing Response to COVID-19

March 17, 2020

To our valued community members,

For 35 years, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) has committed to the health and wellbeing of the people we serve. Our ongoing response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is guided by this longstanding principle as we take action to protect the health and safety of service users, staff, volunteers, and community members.

RHAC is implementing the following measures to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of our team, including:

  • On-site and phone screening for COVID-19 symptoms
  • Non-essential service staff will be supported to work remotely
  • Strict adherence to universal precautions and pandemic mitigation hygiene standards
  • Suspension of engagement in all “in person” community/stakeholder meetings
  • RHAC board will use technology to conduct governance business  

The following programming will be impacted as of March 17, until further notice:

  • Couch crew drop in is suspended
  • Social support groups are cancelled
  • A Taste for Life is cancelled
  • LGBTQ Open Closet social support group is cancelled
  • Scheduled Community Partner Outreach and related Drop In Outreach is cancelled
  • (on site) HIV/HCV testing is cancelled
  • Public speaking engagements and education sessions are suspended

The following programs will continue as scheduled:

  • John Gordon Home - 24/7 residential care 
  • Carepoint/Counterpoint - 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
  • Outreach Van (Counterpoint) for people who use substances –door drop off only
  • Country Cupboard – temporary home delivery beginning in April
  • HIV/HCV Client Support Services – using phone as primary source of contact

RHAC will continue to closely monitor this situation and follow the recommendations of Canada’s public health authorities.

Thank you to our community partners, staff, and volunteers for working with us to deliver the best possible care and support. RHAC will post updates to this information each Monday or as needed.

Wishing health and wellness to everyone during this challenging time.

Brian Lester,

Executive Director

 

For additional information about COVID-19: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html

https://www.healthunit.com/news/novel-coronavirus