COVID-19 Outbreak: A Hospital's Response
In a proactive move to safeguard patients and staff, Guelph General Hospital, in collaboration with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, has declared a COVID-19 outbreak on its 4 West inpatient unit. This decision was made after five patients contracted the virus while receiving care in the hospital.
The hospital has taken several critical steps to prevent further spread. These measures include implementing additional precautions for all patients in the unit, conducting COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals, temporarily restricting visitors to only those on compassionate grounds, and enhancing cleaning protocols, especially in high-touch and high-traffic areas.
It's important to note that the outbreak is contained to the 4 West unit, and all other areas of the hospital, including outpatient clinics, continue to operate normally. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, all hospital staff and visitors are required to wear masks while on the outbreak unit. Mask-wearing is also encouraged but not mandatory in other hospital areas.
Masking stations are conveniently located at the entrances and nursing stations, and there are designated collection bins throughout the hospital for mask disposal, promoting a green waste diversion initiative. Visitors are reminded to frequently sanitize their hands and refrain from visiting if they are feeling unwell.
This swift and comprehensive response aims to protect the hospital community and maintain a safe environment for all patients and staff during this challenging time.
