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Cambridge Memorial Hospital has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in its Medicine B in-patient Unit. This comes after the hospital had recently declared an end to an outbreak in the same unit in recent weeks.
“In consultation with the Region of Waterloo Public Health, a COVID-19 outbreak has been declared in the Medicine B in-patient Unit (Wing C, level 4) of Cambridge Memorial Hospital,” stated a press release from Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) today, Nov. 10, at 1:03 p.m.
The hospital had declared an end to an outbreak in its Medicine B Unit on Oct. 24 after the outbreak was first declared on Oct. 3.
According to CMH, an outbreak is declared when two or more patients and/or staff test positive for an illness — in this case, COVID-19 — that was acquired in hospital within a time frame that is consistent with the epidemiology of the disease and when there could be a link between the cases.
CMH has stated that the outbreak has affected two patients in Medicine B in-patient Unit. The hospital has implemented various measures.
• Staff working in Medicine B in-patient unit must have a negative rapid antigen test daily before work. This includes staff that have worked on MED B since the outbreak was declared and scheduled to other units.
• Clinical students will not be placed in Medicine B in-patient unit for the duration of the outbreak.
• Noninfected in-patients will be swabbed and tested every three days.
• Cleaning will be enhanced, especially in regards to high touch areas.
• Visitors are restricted to the unit except in end-of-life situations.
• Anyone entering the hospital must wear a hospital-issued mask and maintain physical distancing.
The press release also stated that the safety and well-being of CMH staff, care providers and patients remain the top priority. As such, virtual visits and phone connections for patients and families can be arranged. However, at this time, visitors may not bring food or drink to a patient’s room.
“We kindly ask visitors of patients in other in-patient units to stay home if they are not feeling well,” the release reads. “In light of the surge in respiratory illnesses within our community, getting vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 can protect you from becoming severely ill.”
CMH expects that the outbreak may be declared over on Nov. 18 if no new cases arise. For more information, visit www.cmh.org.
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