A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared on the Medicine Unit at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
Hospital officials say on January 29, 2021, two staff members and one patient on Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) Medicine A and B Units, located at the Chatham Site, received a positive test result for COVID-19.
An outbreak has been declared on the Medicine Unit by CK Public Health.
CKHA currently has two active outbreaks at its Chatham Site following Thursday’s outbreak declaration on the COVID-19 Unit, hospital officials say.
As per directive from the province, an outbreak is declared as soon as two or more staff and/or patients test positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period in a specified area (unit/floor/service).
CK Public Health continues to work closely with CKHA to manage the outbreaks on the Medicine Unit and the COVID-19 Unit.
An outbreak may be declared ‘over’ once the hospital reaches 14 days from the last case of transmission or from the day the outbreak was declared.
“The realities of these outbreaks serve to remind all of us of the importance of following public health measures; wearing a mask, washing our hands and staying home when unwell,” stated Lori Marshall, President and CEO, CKHA, in a press release.
“By following these public health measures, and working together and supporting one another, I am confident we will get through this.”
Hospital officials say impacted staff are all working closely with CK Public Health for the contact tracing process.
CK Public Health contacts staff who have been exposed and informs them of appropriate measures to take.
Due to the additional outbreak declaration this week, CKHA has now moved to Phase 1 ‘red’ of their Essential Visitor and Care Partner Access policy.
This is the hospital’s most restrictive phase, where visitor and care partner access is strictly prohibited. CKHA officials say.
There will be no visitors/care partners allowed for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, hospital officials say.
Palliative and end-of-life patients on the outbreak units may be permitted one care partner through the established visitor restrictions appeals process, otherwise there will be no visitors/care partners on the units in outbreak, hospital officials say.
Exceptions on the non-outbreak units include:
– One care partner/visitor will be permitted at any time of day for palliative or end of life patients.
– For labouring women, one consistent partner will be permitted through the duration including post-partum.
– In the Emergency Department, patients at imminent risk of dying or those with significant cognitive or mobility difficulties will be permitted one consistent adult care partner.
– Paediatric patients may have one consistent visitor.
– Case workers are welcome as the consistent care partner to support those patients with significant developmental or intellectual disabilities, if applicable.
– Outpatients requiring assistance due to frail/elderly, cognitive impairment, non-verbal or severely disabled may be permitted a care partner to accompany patient for their outpatient visit.
Hospital officials say as part of CKHA’s pandemic response action plan and in alignment with the hospital’s infection prevention and control guidelines, a number of additional initiatives have been implemented in response to the outbreak on the Medicine Unit.
Hospital officials say they will continue following these measures until the Medical Officer of Health for Chatham-Kent Public Health rescinds the outbreak order.
CKHA officials are reminding the community that the hospital remains a safe place to receive care.
“We understand right now our community may feel some extra stress and hesitation while attending our hospital sites for appointments, diagnostics or emergency care,” sstated Dr. Pervez Faruqi, Chief of Staff, CKHA. in a media release.
“Rest assured, CKHA remains a safe place to receive care and the risk to the public of contracting COVID-19 while visiting our sites remains low.”
At this time all outpatient appointments, diagnostics and therapeutics will continue.
Hospital officials say if someone is experiencing an emergent acute care need, they should not hesitate to dial 911 or visit their nearest Emergency Department.
Hospital officials say they will provide further updates as information becomes available.
