COVID-19 outbreak on NHH’s 1B Restorative Care unit declared over— Regular visiting guidelines resume throughout the hospital
Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) is pleased to announce the conclusion of a COVID-19 outbreak that had impacted the hospital’s first floor Post-Acute Specialty Services (PASS).
Effective Tuesday, September 10, a COVID-19 outbreak—first identified in the Restorative Care Unit (1B) on August 27—has officially been declared over. This announcement comes within days of the hospital sharing that a second outbreak on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (1A), first identified on Friday, August 30, had also ended.
Regular visiting guidelines have resumed for all with the exception of patients in isolation for a COVID-19 infection or suspected exposure. Limited exceptions are made for COVID-19 positive patients on discussion with Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) staff and the care team including, for example, those at imminent end-of-life.
The following is a summary of the infection prevention and control measures that remain in place at NHH:
- Daily self-screening by staff for COVID-19 symptoms – All individuals entering the hospital for work must pre-screen for symptoms and refrain from entering the building or Community Mental Health offices in the event symptoms develop.
- Mandatory use of appropriate PPE as required – All staff, physicians, midwives, and essential caregivers/visitors are expected to pay strict attention to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements throughout the hospital.
- Monitoring of patients and staff considered “high risk contacts” – Any patients who have been identified as having a high risk of exposure have been relocated, tested, and are being cared for with appropriate precautions; similarly, staff at risk of an exposure will also be asked to monitor and supported with testing as required.
- Mandatory vaccination of staff – All staff and physicians are required to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.
- Strict adherence to thorough hand hygiene practices – Strict adherence to thorough hand hygiene will continue to be reinforced.
- Enhanced environmental cleaning – Enhanced cleaning, with a focus on high touch surfaces and common spaces has been implemented.
- Proactive communication – Public notices are continually updated across NHH’s communication channels, including doorways within/leading to the hospital, to promote awareness of the presence of COVID-19 and the importance of vigilance with PPE.
Masking remains a shared responsibility to mitigate spread
While masking remains optional in the hospital and Community Mental Health offices, visitors are reminded to monitor for any symptoms of communicable illness, including COVID-19, prior to visiting and refrain from visiting when symptoms are present. Masks continue to be readily available at all hospital entrances and at the Community Mental Health offices.
Visiting Reminders
Visitors who have recently developed COVID-19 are not permitted to visit patients for 10 full days from the date of symptom onset or from testing positive (whichever date is earliest).
For details on NHH’s Visiting Guidelines and expectations, including answers to other Frequently Asked Questions, please see our website. Updates on NHH’s COVID-19 outbreak status will continue to be communicated through the hospital’s website and related social media channels.