A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared on the medicine unit at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
Hospital officials say as of May 11, 2021, two patients on Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) medicine unit, located at the Chatham site, have received a positive test result for COVID-19.
An outbreak has been declared on the medicine unit by the Chatham-Kent Public Health 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),” CKHA officials said in a media release.
“CK Public Health works closely with CKHA to manage the outbreak on the medicine unit. An outbreak may be declared ‘over’ once CKHA reaches 14 days from the last case of transmission or from the day the outbreak was declared.”
Hospital officials added: “CK Public Health is communicating with impacted patients and families for the contact tracing process. CK Public Health contacts individuals who have been exposed and informs them of appropriate measures to take.”
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.
“CKHA will continue following these measures until the Medical Officer of Health for CK Public Health rescinds the outbreak order,” hospital officials say.
“CKHA’s essential visitor and care partner access policy will remain in Phase 3 ‘Green’ during this time although there will be no visitors/care partners allowed for patients on the medicine unit. There is no change to care partner access for end-of-life patients on the outbreak unit and other exceptions may be permitted through the established visitor restrictions appeals process.”
Hospital officials added: “CKHA is reminding the community that the hospital remains a safe place to receive care. If you are experiencing an emergent acute care need, please do not hesitate to dial 911 or visit your nearest emergency department.”
CKHA will provide further updates as information becomes available, hospital officials added.
