Grand River Hospital and the Region of Waterloo Public Health has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on ICUA. Three staff have been identified and are self-isolating. No patients have been impacted.
While an epidemiological link between the cases is not clear, we are classifying this as an outbreak out of an abundance of caution. We believe this poses minimal risk; the last date of potential exposure to all three COVID-19 positive staff was seven or more days ago and they have been isolating at home during this time.
Additional, enhanced precautions have already been put in place to ensure the safety of all and limit any potential spread in the meantime including ongoing staff testing. However, given the low risk of spread, we will not be closing the unit to new admissions to maintain our capacity to support the needs of critical care patients in our region.
Below are the additional precautions that have implemented to ensure increased safety;
- Enhanced patient and staff surveillance;
- Additional high-touch cleaning;
- Cohorting staff as much as possible; and
- Continuing our investigations with public health.
For more information, please contact:
Cheryl Evans, Manager, Communications and Engagement
Grand River Hospital
Cell: 226-749-0689