In consultation with the Region of Waterloo Public Health, a COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in Rehabilitation Unit (Wing B, level 3). A hospital outbreak is declared when two or more patients and/or staff test positive for a respiratory illness that was acquired in hospital within a timeframe that is consistent with the epidemiology of the disease, and when there is a link between the cases.
Five (5) patients linked to this situation have tested positive for COVID-19.
Staff working in the outbreak unit are required to do PCR testing every three days and to have a negative rapid antigen test daily before work. Staff that have been COVID positive at any time in the last three months are not required to do testing unless new respiratory symptoms develop.
These precautions have also been added for enhanced safety:
- Enhanced surveillance by increased swabbing and testing non-infected patients and staff.
- Enhanced cleaning, especially to high touch areas.
- Visits to inpatients have been paused for the entire hospital as of Saturday, January 8. Virtual visits and phone connections for patients and families can be arranged.
The outbreak in the Rehabilitation Unit may be declared over on February 15 if no new cases arise.
In addition to this one, CMH has two other active outbreaks:
- The Medicine B Unit COVID-19 outbreak was declared on Jan. 19. At this time, 18 (18) patients and no (0) staff have been infected. The earliest possible end date has been set to February 15, if no cases are found.
- Inpatient Mental Health was declared on January 30. Three (3) patients have been infected during this outbreak. The earliest possible end date to this outbreak February 8, if no new cases arise.
