KAWARTHA LAKES-Two staff working on an inpatient unit at Ross Memorial Hospital have tested positive for Coronavirus after a patient there also tested positive.
An inpatient on the hospital’s CCP1 unit tested positive for COVID-19 on April 17, 2020 and an outbreak was declared. Officials say contact tracing began immediately and all patients on the unit were tested, with negative results.
Two staff however have tested positive for Coronavirus. According to officials one is regularly assigned to the unit and the other is not clinical staff and works in the support services department.The hospital says these individuals are self-isolating and will require negative testing before returning to work. The hospital’s contact tracing also included 2 patients recently discharged from the unit to long-term care. These patients were tested prior to discharge, with negative results and, in alignment with current public health directives, were placed in 14-day isolation at the homes according to the hospital.
Tests are being completed for all staff and physicians who work on the unit, and any other staff member who was in close contact with the patient.
The hospital says several enhanced measures have been in place for the last month at the hospital, including:
- Restricting visitors (limit of one for compassionate reasons or maternity)
- Postponing non-essential surgeries, appointments and procedures
- Offering virtual and phone appointments where possible
- Active screening at entrances
- Increased screening and surveillance of all patients
CCP1 is closed to all visitors and admissions. All hospital staff and physicians, including the team on the unit, are required to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and wear appropriate PPE in the course of their work. Staff are also screened at the entrance each day, including having their temperature taken.
