In consultation with Region of Waterloo Public Health – have declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on GR2 East (which includes GR2 South), part of the specialized mental health program at the Freeport Campus and on 5C, part of the medicine program at KW Campus. Currently, three patients from GR2 East have tested positive, while three patients from 5C have tested positive. However, testing is not yet complete; these numbers may change.
The outbreak has been contained to GR2 East and 5C, with additional precautions implemented to ensure increased safety of all:
- Enhanced surveillance
- Additional high-touch cleaning
- Face shields/eye protection for staff when patients won’t wear a mask
- Temporarily suspending in person care partner visits to the unit and working to enhance virtual and phone connections for our patients and families.
- Investigating opportunities to cohort COVID positive patients together and COVID resolved staff with patients who tested negative for COVID; to support continued operations and follow IPAC principals.
The hospital has reached out to patients and staff who may have been at risk of exposure. We wish these patients and staff a safe and speedy recovery.
The safety and wellbeing of our staff, providers and patients is our top priority. We will continue to provide updates as the situation changes.