The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak on one unit at St. Marys Memorial Hospital.
According to HPHA, five positive cases of the virus were identified on the inpatient unit on Tuesday, one of whom is a patient. Outbreak status is determined after two COVID-19 cases are confirmed within a 14-day period, where both cases could 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," said hospital president and CEO Andrew Williams. "We are working closely with Huron Perth Public Health and will ensure staff, patients and family members/caregivers are kept apprised of all necessary information."
The healthcare alliance says all affected staff members are currently self isolating at home, and will not return to work until their self-isolation period is complete and they are asymptomatic.
St. Marys has transferred the COVID positive patient to the Stratford General Hospital site of the alliance.
Visitation to the inpatient unit is restricted with the exception of palliative patients. The hospital says care teams will regularly update families and caregivers with opportunities for virtual connections. There will be no new admissions to the unit, but the hospital remains open for outpatient appointments, and the emergency department is also available for those needing care.
The hospital added that it will contact patients with any changes to appointments, such as scheduling, or switches from in-person to phone/virtual appointments.
