Grand River Hospital has been managing two COVID-19 outbreaks in consultation with Region of Waterloo Public Health. The outbreak on 5Centre has been declared over, while we continue to monitor the outbreak on 5South (clinical teaching unit). Both units are part of the hospital’s medicine program. The hospital is also currently investigating a potential outbreak on 5North. Nine patients and 14 staff have been impacted in total, including one patient death.
“We send our deepest condolences to family and friends of this patient, and all who are diagnosed with and recovering from COVID,” says Bonnie Camm, Executive Vice President, Clinical Services at Grand River Hospital. “This level of activity will be an ongoing reality for hospitals, as community transmission continues to rise. We continue to focus on the protocols we have put in place and remind members of the community to do the same. While we are seeing an increase in patient volumes, staff are working diligently to provide exceptional care throughout.”
In outbreak situations, the hospital immediately implements the following enhanced protocols:
- Increased surveillance to identify potential cases and follow-up investigations;
- More frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces;
- Cohorting staff as much as possible;
- Education of patients and families about COVID-19 hospital protocols;
- Continually reviewing our practices and implementing new measures as required, as part of our ongoing risk assessments;
- Temporarily closing admissions to the unit;
- Temporarily suspending in person care partner visits to the unit and working to enhance virtual and phone connections for our patients and families.