By Cecilia Nasmith
The enteric and COVID-19 outbreaks on Northumberland Hills Hospital's first floor have been declared over.
The enteric outbreak was initially identified on the Restorative Care (1B) unit on Thursday, Feb. 23. Just one day later, a second outbreak was detected on the adjacent Inpatient Rehabilitation (1A) unit. Further complicating the situation, a COVID-19 outbreak was also declared on 1B.
With all outbreaks now resolved as of March 2, regular visiting guidelines have returned for both units – with the exception of individual patients in isolation for a COVID-19 infection or suspected exposure.
The following infection-prevention and -control measures remain in place.
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 if symptoms develop.
Mandatory use of appropriate personal protective equipment – This applies to all staff, physicians, midwives and essential caregivers and visitors, and the hospital's universal masking policy remains in effect.
Mandatory vaccinations of staff – All staff, physicians, midwives, volunteers and students are required to be up to date with their vaccines (two doses). Booster vaccines continue to be distributed to reduce further the risk of infection and spread.
Thorough hand-hygiene practices are required – Strict adherence continues to be enforced.
Enhanced environmental cleaning continues – There will be a special focus on equipment shared among patient rooms
There will be proactive communication – Public notices are continually updated across NHH's communications channels, including on doorways within and leading to the hospital, to promote awareness of the continued presence of COVID-19 and the importance of vigilance with PPE.
As a high-risk setting, NHH has retained its universal masking policy throughout the hospital and Community Mental Health offices. Visitors have access to free medical-grade masks at the entry of these buildings, and they are expected to keep these masks on at all times (or over top of their personal cloth masks) while inside, unless eating or drinking in designated areas. No eating or drinking is permitted by visitors in patient rooms, as that would require removing the mask.
For details on NHH's visiting guidelines and expectations (including options and answers to frequently asked questions), visit the NHH website.
Updates on the hospital's COVID-19 status will continue to be communicated through their website and related social-media channels.
Community outbreak information will be found on the periodically updated Respiratory Diseases Dashboard on the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit website, which provides a high-level assessment of local respiratory virus activity.
