COVID-19 Outbreaks Declared on Our Fourth & Seventh Floors
Today, we are unfortunately declaring outbreaks on our Fourth and Seventh Floor Medicine Units. Given the highly transmissible nature of this COVID-19 strain and the rising cases we are seeing in the community, we urge everyone to remain vigilant in proper handwashing techniques, wearing a mask in indoor settings, staying up to date with vaccines and staying home if you are sick.
In total on our Fourth Floor, seven patients, but no staff are impacted and on our Seventh Floor, two patients and three staff are impacted.
Regular point prevalence testing will continue for staff and patients for the duration of the outbreak. Our hope is to come out of both outbreaks potentially on November 7th, in consultation with IPAC and Region of Waterloo Public Health. Our thoughts are with our patients and colleagues and as always, we wish them a safe and speedy recovery.
Immediate Actions:
- PCR testing for staff and patients in outbreak units.
- Due to our current flow challenges, units will remain open to admission. IPAC will be working closely with our Patient Flow Team to place patients using risk-mitigation protocols and procedures. We will continue to review this as we go and will be ready to adjust should flow permit us to do so.
- Care Partner visits on these units are suspended, except in exceptional circumstances. Efforts will continue to be made to connect patients with Care Partners by phone or virtually.
- Patient Experience will assist in notifying patients’ Care Partners on these units.
- Droplet contact precautions are in effect throughout the unit.
- Enhanced cleaning continues.
We will share updates as we can. Outbreaks are challenging for everyone. We are grateful for everything that you continue to do to keep everyone safe.