COVID outbreak over at NHH
By Cecilia Nasmith
Regular visiting guidelines have resume at Northumberland Hills Hospital on its Rehabilitation and Restorative Care units after the COVID-19 outbreaks – initially identified on Jan. 24 and 25 respectively – were declared over on Friday.
These resumed guidelines do not apply to patients in isolation for a COVID-19 infection or suspected exposure.
Occupational Health and Infection Control Manager Ellen Douglas commended the diligence of the NHH team who helped control and contain this latest outbreak.
“We thank everyone for continuing to do their part to prevent future outbreaks,” Douglas said in the announcement.
“If you are feeling unwell, we ask that you postpone any visits to your loved ones.
“Visitors are reminded of NHH's universal-masking policy, which requires everyone to remain masked while inside the hospital and especially during visits to patient rooms. Thank you for helping to keep our vulnerable patients safe.”
As a reminder, the press release included a summary of the infection-prevention and -control measures that remain in place at the hospital.
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 mental-health offices) in the event symptoms develop.
Mandatory use of appropriate PPE – All staff, physicians, midwives and essential caregivers and visitors are expected to pay strict attention to Personal Protective Equipment requirements throughout the hospital, including the universal-masking policy.
Mandatory vaccination of staff – All staff and physicians are required to be up to date with their vaccines (two doses). Booster vaccines continue to be distributed in order to reduce the risk of infection and spread further.
Thorough hand-hygiene practices – Strict adherence to thorough hand hygiene will continue to be enforced.
Enhanced environmental cleaning – This means enhanced cleaning, with a focus on equipment shared among patient rooms.
Proactive communication – Public notices are continually updated across NHH's communication channels, including on internal and external doorways, to promote awareness of the presence of COVID-19 and the importance of vigilance with PPE.
As a high-risk setting, NHH retains its universal-masking policy, both in the hospital and community-health offices. Visitors have access to free masks at entrances, which they will be expected to wear at all times (alone or on top of a personal cloth mask) while inside, unless eating and drinking in designated areas. Due to the fact that masks must be removed at such times, no eating or drinking is permitted by visitors in patient rooms.
For details on NHH's Visiting Guidelines and expectations – including virtual visiting options and answers to other Frequently Asked Questions – visit nhh.ca.
Updates on NHH's COVID-19 status will be communicated on the website and related social-media channels.
Community outbreak information will be found on the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit's on-line Respiratory Diseases Dashboard, which provides a high-level assessment of local respiratory-virus activity.
