A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in a medical / surgical unit at Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg, Ontario, hospital officials announced Monday afternoon.
According to the hospital, three staff members from the hospital’s medical / surgical unit 2B tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) has stated that the unit is in an outbreak state.
Staff members are self-isolated at home, the hospital said.
“Our infection prevention and control team is working closely with their counterparts at HKPRDHU and no patient contagion has been identified at this time,” said Susan Walsh, president and CEO of the hospital in a statement issued to the 4:30 pm on Monday.
“Although the health unit initially declared the outbreak in both medical units (2A and 2B), in a closer investigation of the cases involved we anticipate that the status will be updated to 2B shortly. We are taking all possible steps to minimize the opportunities for COVID-19 transmission within the hospital and we thank everyone for their continued vigilance. “
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The hospital is evaluating any patients and other personnel deemed to be at increased risk of exposure and all recently discharged patients from Unit 2B are being contacted and advised to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. .
New admissions to Unit 2B will be evaluated as necessary in consultation with public health, the hospital said.
Starting Monday, visitors to Unit 2B will be temporarily restricted until the outbreak is declared over. Special exceptions for palliative patients will continue to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The hospital notes that all staff and doctors must be fully vaccinated (two doses) and that the booster vaccines have been “widely distributed” during a series of hospital clinics.
Public notices have been posted at all hospital entrances warning of the outbreak.
The hospital remains fully operational and all other visitor restrictions remain in effect.
The health unit has not updated its case data since December 23, at which time it reported 173 active COVID-19 cases in its jurisdiction, including 95 cases in Northumberland County.
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Reference-globalnews.ca