Two staff members at RMH test positve for COVID-19

Two Ross Memorial Hospital staff members who were in close contact with a patient who recently tested positive for COVID-19 have now also tested positive for the virus.

Tests are being completed for all staff and physicians who work on the unit, and any other staff member who was in close contact with the patient.

These two staff members are self-isolating and will require negative testing before returning to work. The hospital’s contact tracing also included two patients recently discharged from the unit to long-term care. These patients were tested prior to discharge, with negative results and, in alignment with current public health directives, were placed in 14-day isolation at the homes.

After an inpatient in the continuing care unit tested positive for COVID-19 on April 17, an outbreak was declared. (An outbreak is classified as one or more cases). Contact tracing began immediately and all patients on the unit were tested, with negative results.

Several enhanced measures have been in place for the last month at the hospital, including:

• Restricting visitors (limit of one for compassionate reasons or maternity)
• Postponing non-essential surgeries, appointments and procedures
• Offering virtual and phone appointments where possible
• Active screening at entrances
• Increased screening and surveillance of all patients

The continuing care unit is closed to all visitors and admissions. All hospital staff and physicians, including the team on the unit, are required to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and wear appropriate PPE in the course of their work. Staff are also screened at the entrance each day, including having their temperature taken. 

COVID-19 Care, Assessment and Testing Statistics

• Current positive inpatients: 2 (1 unrelated to outbreak)
• Current positive staff members: 2
• Total assessments completed: 2534
• Total tests completed: 1309

Positive cases continue to be reported on our health unit’s website: www.hkpr.on.ca. Information specific to RMH at rmh.org/covid-19.