For a short period this week, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance was COVID-19 free.
But it was only for a moment. After sounding the all clear Wednesday, a patient with the virus was admitted to the hospital’s ICU early Thursday afternoon.
Lori Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of the alliance told a municipal press conference earlier in the day the alliance had “zero cases” as of April 15.
It was the hospital’s first respite from the virus in more than a year.
The news comes as the number of Ontario cases skyrockets to record highs.
With the pandemic’s third wave now in full swing, Ontario recorded 4,736 new cases Thursday with ICU admissions for COVID-19 related illnesses at 660, along with an additional 29 deaths.
Chatham-Kent’s relative good fortune is in stark contrast to other hospitals in the province. COVID-19 admissions are rapidly filling up intensive care units, necessitating moving patients to other facilities.
CKHA leaders are in daily contact with provincial health officials. Marshall said all Ontario hospitals — including the CKHA — have been asked to ramp down elective procedures in order to boost capacity.
Similar to the last lockdown, the alliance is prepared to receive COVID-19 patients from other regions.
Marshall says Chatham’s 10-bed ICU can be flexed up to 12 beds.
As of Thursday, the hospital’s overall occupancy was at 60 per cent, with 81 per cent occupancy in the medical and surgery units.
There are five patients in Chatham’s ICU, one with COVID-19.
Across the province, there are nearly 2,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19 related illnesses. A total of 145 people have died from the virus in the past week.
