COVID-19 outbreak declared at Etobicoke General Hospital
A unit at a west end Toronto hospital has been forced to limit new patients after a COVID-19 outbreak was declared on Monday.
In a notice posted online, the William Osler Health System says their IPAC department and Toronto Public Health declared the outbreak in the 7 East Cardiology unit at Etobicoke General Hospital.
The hospital has not confirmed how many patients have the virus. An outbreak is declared when two or more individuals test positive “with any common link” within a 48 hour period, according to provincial guidelines.
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The notice says the unit is now closed to new admissions with the exception of those who require telemetry. The hospital says the following other measures are being taken:
- Notifying patients and using the appropriate precautions to prevent transmission of the virus.
- Testing and monitoring staff, physicians and patients, as appropriate.
- Limiting staff members who normally work on multiple units to work on one unit only.
- Enhancing cleaning of patient care equipment and the hospital units.
“The health and safety of Osler’s patients, staff, physicians, volunteers and the community is a top priority,” reads the notice. “Osler remains vigilant and is actively working to respond to any outbreak cases.”
