St. Mary’s Declares an End to COVID-19 Outbreak on its Fourth Floor
St. Mary’s General Hospital today is declaring an outbreak of COVID-19 over on its fourth floor in consultation with Region of Waterloo Public Health. Two patients and one staff member were linked to the outbreak and we continue to think of them.
As the outbreak ends:
- The unit reopens to new admissions.
- Care Partner visits resume.
- Regardless of vaccine status, diligence with universal masking and face shields continues.
- The importance of physical distancing in break rooms is reinforced.
- Enhanced cleaning continues throughout the unit.
We are grateful to staff for their hard work to limit further transmission and keep our patients and colleagues safe.
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March 8, 2021
After a period of surveillance, contact tracing and testing of patients and staff on the fourth floor, St. Mary’s, in consultation with Region of Waterloo Public Health, has declared an outbreak on the unit. The investigation began March 1 after one patient tested positive. Asymptomatic testing of patients over the weekend identified one additional COVID-positive patient. Our thoughts are with patients as they recover. At this time, no staff have been linked to the outbreak.
Additional information on the outbreak:
- The unit remains closed to new admissions, with the exception of COVID-positive, and COVID-resolved patients.
- Care Partner visits continue to be suspended except in exceptional circumstances.
- Asymptomatic testing of staff is being scheduled, beginning tomorrow and patients will be re-swabbed on Thursday.
- Diligence with universal masking and face shields continues.
- Enhanced cleaning will continue throughout the unit.
St. Mary’s continues its commitment to proactively taking steps to limit transmission of COVID-19 and bring outbreaks to an end as soon as possible. Updates will be shared as new information is available.
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March 1, 2021
St. Mary’s, in consultation with Region of Waterloo Public Health, is investigating a potential outbreak on COVID-19 on its four floor. This follows a positive test result on a patient who underwent routine pre-discharge asymptomatic testing. Our thoughts are with patients and staff on the unit.
The following precautionary measures are in place:
- The unit is closed to new admissions, with the exception of COVID-positive or COVID-resolved patients.
- Targeted asymptomatic patient swabbing on the unit is occurring today.
- Contact tracing of staff will be initiated with testing as required.
- Care Partner visits are temporarily suspended, with visits permitted only for palliative patients, and where the care team deems
- Care Partner visits are essential to an improvement in the patient’s condition. Patient Experience will assist to organize telephone and virtual visits for patients and families.
- Droplet contact precautions continue.
- Staff continue to be cohorted on the unit.
- Enhanced cleaning continues.
Updates will be provided as new information is available.