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SUDBURY – The Sudbury & Districts Public Health Unit declared a second COVID-19 outbreak in two days on Saturday at Horizon Santé-Nord Hospital (HSN). An investigation is underway to determine its origin but also to protect patients and staff.
This outbreak was spotted on the fourth level of the south tower of the Lake Ramsey Health Center and currently involves two patients. The HSN communication service ensures that this is a separate and distinct outbreak from the one that broke out the day before at the sixth level of the same tower.
On Friday, a first outbreak was indeed reported in corridor G which is the section of the Respiratory Care Unit reserved for cases of COVID-19. Two employees tested positive.
“The HSN outbreak management team has taken steps to ensure the safety of all employees, physicians and learners, as well as patients and designated care partners,” the hospital said in a statement.
“Admissions and visits of designated care partners are restricted to the affected unit. Some patients are in isolation. They are being watched for symptoms and have been tested. Contact tracing has been completed and testing is underway. “
Stacey Laforest, Director of the Health Protection Division, Sudbury & Districts Public Health Office, urges Sudburians to watch for and detect any symptoms every day and stay home in case of illness, in order to limit the spread of the virus.
“If you have symptoms, please take it seriously and get tested,” she says. “Protecting our most vulnerable groups and the health care system is paramount. Everyone is urged to continue to follow public health measures to protect others and stop the spread of COVID-19. “
Clinics and programs maintained
HSN ensures that the hospital remains a safe place for patients, designated care partners, learners and volunteers. Its clinics remain open and its programs are maintained.
Infection prevention and control measures have been strengthened on site: rigorous hand hygiene, increased infection surveillance, use of additional personal protective equipment, laboratory analyzes and redoubled cleaning and disinfection efforts.
As of Friday, HSN had six admitted patients who tested positive and 19 patients awaiting a test result.
The Greater Sudbury region, at the gray level-containment since Friday, has 266 active cases and deplores 15 deaths in total, according to the latest public health figures. 152 cases are linked to a variant of concern. Seven schools are in the throes of an ever-active outbreak. 194,568 have been tested over the past year in the region.
On the vaccination front, 11,870 people have received their first dose of vaccine and 1,706 are fully vaccinated. A total of 13,576 doses were administered, including the first and second.
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