COVID-19 Outbreak on 3 East Unit Declared Over
St. Mary’s is pleased to share that, in consultation with Waterloo Region Public Health, the COVID-19 outbreak on the 3 East unit is being declared over today. The numbers associated with the outbreak have remained at two patients and four staff. We wish all patients and staff well in their recovery. There has been tremendous teamwork and commitment to resolving this outbreak and we thank staff for their diligence.
As of today on 3 East:
- The unit is fully reopened to new admissions.
- The remaining patients associated with the outbreak will continue in isolation until Saturday, January 30, at which time isolation can be lifted if they remain free of COVID symptoms.
- Care Partner visits can resume today.
- Universal droplet contact precautions are no longer in effect.
- Enhanced cleaning will continue.
There are no new updates today for the COVID-19 outbreaks on the fourth and seventh floors.
***********
January 26 – UPDATE – The number of patients associated with the COVID-19 outbreak on the 3 East Unit remains at two, and those infections have resolved. The number of staff infections is four and they continue to recover at home. A portion of the unit was opened today to new admissions and Care Partner access to this portion is restored to the current restricted schedule of one visit per patient per seven days for one hour. If there are no additional cases associated with the outbreak, it could be declared over by Sunday, January 31.
********
January 17 – Outbreak Declared on 3 East Unit
In consultation with Waterloo Region Public Health, St. Mary’s is today declaring an outbreak of COVID-19 on its 3 East unit, involving two patients and one staff member. This follows an investigation and heightened measures initiated yesterday when the first of two patients on the unit tested positive. A staff member who subsequently developed symptoms has now also tested positive and is isolating at home. All are in our thoughts and we wish them well in their recovery.
Measures initiated yesterday continue, including the following.
- 3 East is closed to new admissions.
- Droplet contact precautions are in effect throughout the unit.
- Staff will remain dedicated to that unit.
- Enhanced cleaning continues.
- Care Partner visits are temporarily suspended, except in exceptional circumstances. Efforts will be enhanced to connect patients by phone or virtually with Care Partners.
- Services supported by the unit to serve the community and region will be maintained in other areas of the hospital, while the unit has reduced admissions
“We will very actively manage this outbreak to reduce any further impact on patients, staff and services,” said President Lee Fairclough. “Outbreaks do translate to further pressure on capacity. We appreciate everyone in our community who has been diligently observing the emergency stay-at-home orders and other public health measures. We ask for your continued support to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 so that we can preserve beds for those who need them for COVID and non-COVID care.”
*****************
Original Post – January 16
St. Mary’s General Hospital is investigating a potential outbreak of COVID-19 on its 3 East unit. Additional testing has occurred with results pending and contact tracing has been initiated with staff and physicians. Public Health will notify any recently discharged patients and their care partners from the unit, where necessary. Our thoughts are with everyone who is or may be impacted.
A plan is in place to prevent further transmission on the unit. This includes the following measures.
- 3 East is closed to new admissions.
- Droplet contact precautions are in effect throughout the unit.
- Staff will remain dedicated to that unit.
- Enhanced cleaning continues.
- Care Partner visits are temporarily suspended, except in cases where patients are at end of life or where the care team determines a visit would have a marked improvement in the patient’s condition. Efforts will be enhanced to connect patients by phone or virtually with Care Partners.
Leadership support is on-site today and the status will be reviewed again early tomorrow for any updates and changes to the current plan.