KFL&A Public Health urges two weeks’ of Davies 5 unit attendees to get COVID-19 testing

After declaring a COVID-19 outbreak on the Davies 5 unit of Kingston General Hospital (KGH), Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health has released information indicating that nearly two weeks’ worth of individuals who attended that unit should go get tested.

In a press release issued on Friday, Jul. 9, 2021, Public Health said that individuals who attended (visited) the Davies 5 unit at the KGH between Tuesday, Jun. 22 and Monday, Jul. 5, 2021, may have been exposed to COVID-19.

“KFL&A Public Health recommends that individuals who have not been contacted by KFL&A Public Health related to this exposure to please do the following,” the local Health Unit said before offering the following steps:

• Test at a local assessment centre as soon as possible.  
• Continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days from last exposure date.  
• Seek testing and self-isolate if you become symptomatic.  

“As part of the COVID-19 case management and contact tracing process, KFL&A Public Health follows up with close contacts of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. If the contact tracing team are unable to identify close contacts of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, a public release may be issued to reach those contacts,” Public Health said.

On Thursday, Jul. 8, 2021, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) confirmed that the current outbreak at their KGH site involves the COVID-19 Alpha variant, which was previously referred to as the B.1.1.7 variant. As of that date, a total of 14 primary cases (seven among staff and seven among patients) and three secondary cases have been linked to the outbreak.

KFL&A Public Health is encouraging all residents to get fully vaccinate as soon as possible, and have expanded and continue to expand the options for those who are eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccination. Public Health offered the following suggestions for residents to get first and/or second doses of COVID-19 vaccine:

• Book your first or second dose vaccine appointment by visiting KFL&A Public Health’s website or call the booking centre at 343-477-0172. 
• Walk-in first dose appointments available during clinic hours at INVISTA Centre and Strathcona Paper Centre for individuals 18 years of age and older.  
• Walk-in first and second dose appointments available during the last hour of the vaccine clinic at INVISTA Centre and Strathcona Paper Centre for individuals 18 years of age and older. Vaccine clinic hours are listed on the agency’s website. 
• Sign up once for the standby list at Strathcona Paper Centre and INVISTA Centre, if you require a first or second dose vaccine appointment. 
• Sign up daily for the standby list at Kingston Community Health Centre, and Burr Gymnasium if you require a first dose vaccine appointment