SARNIA & PETROLIA – January 22, 2021 – Bluewater Health, in consultation with Lambton Public Health, has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the General Medicine unit at the Sarnia hospital.
As per the province’s directive two or more linked positive cases of COVID within a 14-day period is to be considered an outbreak. An outbreak is declared when there is evidence of transmission of the disease within the hospital on a single unit. Declaring an outbreak allows additional measures to work toward preventing further transmission.
“We are confident we are able to get this outbreak under control, as we have each time we have had COVID in our hospital,” says Dr. Mike Haddad, Chief of Staff. “Contact tracing is underway and over the next 48 hours we will determine appropriate next steps to ensure continued care and safety of both our staff and patients.”
Enhanced infection prevention and control measures have been implemented. New admissions to the Medicine program will be to the Acute Medicine unit. There are no other operational changes to report at this time. The Emergency Department remains open and scheduled appointments for clinics and surgeries are uninterrupted.
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Bluewater Health, with locations in Sarnia and Petrolia, cares for the residents of Sarnia-Lambton. With close to 2,500 staff, Professional Staff and volunteers, Bluewater Health provides an array of specialized acute, complex continuing care, allied health and ambulatory care services. Bluewater Health’s Mission is: We create exemplary healthcare experiences with patients and families every time. For more information about Bluewater Health, visit www.bluewaterhealth.ca or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.