St. Mary’s Declares an End to an Outbreak of COVID-19 on its Fourth Floor
In consultation with Region of Waterloo Public Health, St. Mary’s today declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on its fourth floor over. Three patients and no staff were associated with this outbreak and we wish everyone well. Thank you to all for the efforts, teamwork and flexibility that helped end this outbreak.
With the outbreak ending, please note the following:
- The unit will fully open to new admissions.
- Care Partner visits can now resume.
- Droplet contact precautions can be discontinued.
- Enhanced cleaning will continue.
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January 20
The following is an update on COVID-19 outbreak activity at St. Mary’s General Hospital.
Fourth floor
In consultation with Waterloo Region Public Health, St. Mary’s has declared an outbreak of COVID 19 on the fourth floor. Three patients are currently associated with this outbreak and we are thinking of them as they recover.
Measures to limit spread of the virus on the fourth floor are as follows:
- The unit is closed to new admissions.
- The unit is under droplet contact precautions.
- There will be dedicated staffing in the area where positive patients are located.
- Care Partner Visits are temporarily suspended except when a patient is at end of life or if the care team determines there could be a marked improvement in a patient’s condition with a visit. Efforts continue to enhance virtual and phone visits for patients with Care Partners.
- Enhanced cleaning will continue.
3 East
The outbreak of COVID-19 on the 3 East Unit continues with partial re-opening of the unit to new admissions.
- The number of patients associated with the outbreak has remained at two.
- The number of COVID-positive staff associated with the outbreak is four and they are in our thoughts as they recover at home.
- Portions of the unit have reopened to new admissions with dedicated staffing.
- Care Partner visits can resume in areas that are reopened.
- Enhanced cleaning will continue as a further preventive measure.
Seventh floor
- The seventh floor remains closed to new admissions.
- Nine COVID-positive patients are currently associated with the outbreak and our thoughts are with them as they recover.
- Droplet contact precautions remain in effect.
- Care Partner Visits are temporarily suspended except when a patient is at end of life or if the care team determines there could be a marked improvement in a patient’s condition with a visit. Efforts continue to enhance virtual and phone visits for patients with Care Partners.
- Enhanced cleaning will continue.
Updates will be provided as they are available.