UPDATE – Outbreak ended: KHSC declares COVID-19 outbreak at KGH site
Update (Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021):
The Outbreak Management Team at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), in consultation with KFL&A Public Health, has declared an end to the COVID-19 outbreak on the Kidd 3 unit of the Kingston General Hospital site.
According to a release from KHSC, the outbreak, which was initially declared on November 22, involved four patients and three staff testing positive for COVID-19. KHSC reminds the public that patients, staff and registered family visitors for inpatients must continue to follow public health and infection control protocols when inside the hospital. Registered family visitors continue to be required to be fully vaccinated to enter.
“Keeping our staff and patients safe is the top priority at KHSC. While our workforce is vaccinated, infections can, on occasion, occur in individuals who are fully vaccinated. We know that high vaccination rates amongst healthcare staff and visitors limits the further spread of hospital-based outbreaks, while contributing to the reduction of more serious illness,” the hospital organization stated.
Original Article:
Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at its Kingston General Hospital (KGH) site as of Monday, Nov. 22, 2021.
According to KHSC, the outbreak is on the Kidd 3 Unit of KGH, which is generally used for cardiac care. Two positive cases of COVID-19 were detected on the Unit, which is now under quarantine and closed to all admissions and visitors.
KHSC advises that patient care services continue as usual in all other areas of this and its other hospital sites.
“KFL&A Public Health has been notified, and KHSC, in collaboration with Public Health, is in the process of notifying patients, visitors and staff affected by the outbreak,” KHSC said in a press release on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021.
“The hospital’s infection prevention and control and occupational health, safety and wellness teams are completing the necessary contact tracing and testing for individuals on the affected unit. Patients who have been discharged from the unit and who are deemed at risk of exposure, along with visitors, will be contacted by KFL&A Public Health and followed closely in the community.”
This outbreak comes after KHSC declared a COVID-19 outbreak within one of its clinical services – a team of healthcare providers who travel between different KHSC sites – on Friday, Oct. 19, 2021, and on its Davies 3 Unit the week before. However, KHSC said, “most of the cases involved have originated in the community and have been identified in the hospital due to screening of patients and staff.”
“Our top priority is the safety of our patients, health-care workers and community. As we continue to see community spread of COVID-19, KHSC remains vigilant and thanks everyone for working hard to prevent the spread of the virus, including adherence to our screening processes, masking requirements and visitor restrictions,” KHSC said.
KHSC, which oversees the operations of KGH, Hotel Dieu Hospital, and the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario, suggests that members of the public who have symptoms of COVID-19 or concerns that they may have been exposed to the virus can seek testing at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre (Beechgrove Complex). Appointments can be booked online at https://ygkcovidtesting.coconutcalendar.com/ or by calling 613-548-2376.
KHSC said the two cases detected within the Kidd 3 Unit are one staff member and one patient case.
Kingstonist will update this article if/when more information becomes available.