The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on the Medicine Unit at its Stratford General Hospital site today after two cases of the virus were identified in staff members. No patients have acquired the virus while in hospital.
Outbreak status refers to two COVID-19 cases within a 14-day period, where both cases could reasonably have been acquired in the hospital.
“All outbreak control measures are in place and there has been no transmission to other patient care areas of the hospital,” says Andrew Williams, President & CEO. “We are taking an abundance of caution as we review this situation, are working closely with Huron Perth Public Health and will ensure staff, patients and family members/caregivers are kept apprised of all necessary information.”
Affected staff are currently self-isolating at home and will not return to work until their self-isolation period is complete and they are asymptomatic.
Since receiving transfers from the Cedarcroft Retirement Home in mid-November the Medicine Unit has implemented enhanced cleaning and infection control procedures. As a result of the Outbreak, the Unit has enacted restricted admission and discharge protocols and will be closed to visitors, with limited exceptions.
“These realities serve to remind all of us of the importance of following public health measures – wearing a mask, physically distancing, washing our hands and staying home when unwell,” adds Williams. “By doing this, and working together and supporting one another, we will get through this.”
The hospital remains open for all scheduled clinics, procedures and emergency visits and HPHA will continue to update the community, as more or changing information occurs.
