Two patients on Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) Medicine Unit, located at the Chatham Site, tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, CK Public Health officials declared an outbreak for the unit.
Based on provincial guidelines, an outbreak is declared as soon as two or more staff and/or patients test positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period in a specified area.
An outbreak may be declared over once CKHA reaches 14 days from the last case of transmission or from the day the outbreak was declared.
CK Public Health is reaching out to impacted patients and families for the contact tracing process.
As part of CKHA’s pandemic response action plan and in alignment with the hospital’s infection prevention and control guidelines, a number of additional initiatives have been implemented in response to the outbreak on the Medicine Unit, according to hospital officials.
CKHA will continue following these measures until the Medical Officer of Health for CK Public Health rescinds the outbreak order.
CKHA’s Essential Visitor and Care Partner Access policy will remain in Phase 3 “Green” during this time although there will be no visitors/care partners allowed for patients on the Medicine Unit.
There is no change to care partner access for end-of-life patients on the outbreak unit and other exceptions may be permitted through the established visitor restrictions appeals process.
CKHA officials said the hospital remains a safe place to receive care. If you are experiencing an emergent acute care need, please do not hesitate to dial 911 or visit your nearest emergency department.
