UPDATE – Watch ended: Second COVID-19 Watch declared at Providence Care Hospital

Update (Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2021):

A COVID-19 watch declared on Parkside 0, an inpatient unit at Providence Care Hospital, is now over. The watch was declared on Dec. 4, after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a release from Providence Care, patients who had close contact with the positive case were quarantined, monitored closely for symptoms and tested for the virus multiple times throughout the watch. All test results came back negative.

Staff members with confirmed contact with the positive case were also tested for COVID-19, the organization said. Their results were also negative.

Providence Care declared the watch over on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. All restrictions as a result of the watch, including quarantining patients and halting registered visitors, have now been lifted, according to the release.

The following safety measures remain in place at Providence Care Hospital:

• All staff members are actively screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms. They must also wear appropriate personal protective equipment, practice physical distancing and good hand hygiene.
• Only registered visitors may enter the hospital. Registered visitors include: essential visitors, designated visitors and designated care partners. General visitors are not permitted.
• All registered visitors must pass screening and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. If they do not pass screening or show proof of vaccination, they will not be permitted to enter. Individuals who pass screening must wear a mask at all times for the duration of their visit.

According to the release, all COVID-19 watches at Providence Care Hospital are now over.

“Providence Care is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the region to ensure our current protective measures at all sites continue to keep the people we serve, staff and physicians safe. Measures will be enhanced if needed,” the organizations said.

Visit providencecare.ca for up-to-date information on visiting protocols and current protective measures in place. 

Original article:

A second Watch has been declared at Kingston’s Providence Care Hospital.

“A COVID-19 watch has been declared on Parkside 0, an inpatient unit at Providence Care Hospital, after a staff member tested positive,” the hospital said in a press release.

Providence Care said it has notified KFL&A Public Health about the positive case and is completing the necessary contact tracing.

According to the hospital, patients who had close contact with the positive case are now on quarantine and will be tested for the virus on a set schedule for the next 10 days. “Quarantined patients are not permitted to have general visitors at this time,” the hospital said.

The hospital’s previous COVID-19 watch, declared on Heritage 1 on Dec. 2, continues. “Quarantined patients continue to be monitored for symptoms and tested for the virus. Initial patient test results from Dec. 2, were negative,” the hospital said.

Providence Care Hospital said it had implemented a number of additional protective measures for all units on Dec. 3. “Changes include limiting the number of visitors allowed at one time, pausing communal dining and halting leaves of absences,” the hospital explained. “All visitors must continue to show proof of vaccination and pass screening to enter the hospital. Masks must also been worn at all times for the duration of their visit.”

“Providence Care’s top priority is the safety of the people we serve, our staff and physicians,” the press release continued. “Teams are working around the clock to help stop the spread of the virus. With community spread of COVID-19 on the rise in our region, we will continue to monitor our current protective measures and enhance if needed. Please visit providencecare.ca for up-to-date information about COVID-19 protective measures in place at all sites.”