Chatham-Kent Health Alliance officials say they are “confident” they will get the latest COVID-19 outbreaks under control at the hospital in Chatham.
“On March 7, 2021, one staff and one patient on Dialysis have tested positive for COVID-19,” hospital officials said in a press release on Monday, March 8, 2021.
“For Laboratory services, two staff have received a positive test result for COVID-19 as well as a patient considered exposed to a positive lab staff member. This patient was on the inpatient Surgical Unit. This means we have two active outbreaks within CKHA declared by Chatham-Kent Public Health.”
Hospital officials say on June 5, 2020, the province issued a directive that 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), an outbreak is to be declared.
“CK Public Health has formally declared CKHA to be in outbreak,” CKHA officials say.
“Since the onset of this pandemic, CKHA has taken decisive and immediate action with the ever-evolving dynamics of COVID-19 in our community. The safety of our staff, physicians, patients, visitors and community at large, has and will remain our top priority. We will continue following these measures until the Medical Officer of Health for Chatham-Kent Public Health rescinds the outbreak order.”
Hospital officials say CKHA Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness are working closely with CK Public Health on the contact tracing process for impacted staff and patients, providing guidance on appropriate measures to take.
“At this time, out of an abundance of caution, we will be restricting visitors and Care Partners to the inpatient Surgical Unit until further notice,” hospital officials say.
“Visitors and Care Partners to that unit will ONLY be through the posted exceptions or through our established appeals process. Care Partner access on other units remains unchanged.”
CKHA continues to monitor patients for symptoms of COVID-19, hospital officials added.
“Any patient who develops symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 while in hospital will be isolated and tested,” hospital officials say.
“We are confident we are able to get this outbreak under control, as we have put proper measures in place and continue to work closely with CK Public Health. We thank them for their ongoing support as we work together to keep our patients and families safe.”
Hospital officials say they wanted to thank their staff and physicians “who continue to work tirelessly during the pandemic through these conditions.
“We will provide further updates as information becomes available. At this time, there are no operational changes to report. CKHA would like to remind the community that the hospital continues to remain a safe place to receive care. If you require urgent or emergent care, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department,” hospital officials added.
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit announced both outbreaks on Monday morning and they were both declared on Sunday, March 7, 2021.
