COVID-19 Outbreak Declared at St. Marys Memorial Hospital on the Inpatient Unit
February 02, 2021
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on the Inpatient Unit at its St. Marys Memorial Hospital site today after five cases of the virus were identified. Four of these cases are in team members, and one patient has been affected.
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 working closely with Huron Perth Public Health and will ensure staff, patients and family members/caregivers are kept apprised of all necessary information.”
Affected team members are currently self-isolating at home and will not return to work until their self-isolation period is complete and they are asymptomatic. The affected patient has been transferred to the Stratford General Hospital site of the Alliance.
Family and Caregiver Presence on the Inpatient Unit has been restricted. The only exception is for palliative patients. Care teams will regularly update families/caregivers and make them aware of opportunities for virtual connections.
Admissions to the Inpatient Unit are closed but the hospital remains open for outpatient appointments. If there are any changes to a patient’s appointment, such as rescheduling or changing from an in-person to a phone/virtual appointment, the hospital will contact the patient. The Emergency Department remains open and is a safe place to receive care.
HPHA will continue to update the community, as more or changing information occurs.