Second outbreak declared at satellite health facility

HAMILTON, ON – There are currently three HHS sites with declared COVID outbreaks.

Juravinski Hospital

No update provided Jan. 18.

Hamilton General

HHS Infection Prevention and Control, in consultation with Hamilton Public Health, has declared the outbreak on the Short Stay Medical Unit at Hamilton General Hospital over.

As of midnight today, the unit reopened for admissions.

Satellite Health Facility

Yesterday, a new outbreak of COVID-19 was declared on the second floor of the Satellite Health Facility, which is an HHS floor, with two patients have testing positive for the virus.

Today, five additional patients on the second floor and two staff members have been found to be COVID positive. Patient testing will take place again on Thursday, Jan. 21.

We continue to test all health care workers, as well as any staff and physicians who may have spent prolonged periods of time there. The floor is closed to admissions.

The third floor remains in outbreak since it was declared January 6, with a total of 25 patients and 22 staff who are positive for COVID-19 to date.

The opening of the fourth floor unit may be delayed.

Outbreak measures

Both floors are closed for admissions and additional cleaning has been initiated. All positive patients have been moved, or are in the process of moving, to the COVID units at the Hamilton General Hospital and the Juravinski Hospital. All COVID-positive staff members are self-isolating. Visitors are not permitted on the second and third floors; however, exceptions will be made for patients receiving end-of-life care.