Public Health Sudbury & Districts (PHSD) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Health Sciences North’s Ramsey Lake Health Centre after a patient and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
The outbreak affects two hallways (J and K) of the sixth floor of the South Tower.
In a press release sent out Saturday night, PHSD said the outbreak has been contained and there is no evidence of ongoing transmission. Public Health or Health Sciences North will directly contact anyone identified as a close contact and provide further direction.
The Ministry of Health defines a COVID-19 outbreak in a public hospital as two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases involving patients or staff within a specified area within a 14-day period where both cases could have reasonably acquired their infection in the hospital.
HSN said it has taken a number of measures to deal with the outbreak. Admissions and designated care partners to the affected unit are restricted. Patients are in isolation, being monitored and tested for symptoms. Additional infection, prevention and control measures are in place such as strict hand hygiene, heightened infection surveillance, additional use of personal protective equipment, laboratory testing and enhanced cleaning and disinfection.
The hospital remains open with clinics and procedures continuing as normal.
Since Jan. 18, the number of admitted patients at HSN with COVID-19 has declined from 15 to 5. Two of the five current COVID-19 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Public Health is also reporting a COVID-19-related death in Greater Sudbury. The individual was a resident of Amberwood Suites retirement home. Public Health Sudbury & Districts offers sincere condolences to the family, friends, and caregivers affected by this loss and throughout this difficult time. Out of respect, no further details will be provided.
The death will be reported in Public Health’s daily update of COVID-19 case data on Feb. 7. A total of 10 deaths have now been reported across our service area since the beginning of the pandemic.
Additionally, PHSD received confirmation from Public Health Ontario that a second individual in our service area has tested positive for the COVID-19 UK variant (B.1.1.7). This individual is one of the three possible cases of the more highly transmissible strain of COVID-19 reported on Feb. 5. Two possible cases are still pending confirmation as genome sequencing is still underway.
“The need to protect our health care system is absolutely critical,” Public Health Sudbury & Districts medical officer of health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe said. “To do this, Public Health remains hard at work to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the community and our health care system."
"At the same time, everyone must also continue to do their part and continue to take public health measures seriously.”
Prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home: remain at home except for essential purposes such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care service, for exercise, or for essential work or school.
- All non-essential travel should be avoided. Area residents are being exposed to the virus through travel outside our region. Stay in the area of your home community or stay in the region.
- Get tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms.
- The vaccine is highly recommended for all eligible individuals.
- Learn more about vaccine safety and make an informed decision to choose to get vaccinated when the time comes.
- Practise physical distancing, because any close contact could be a possible exposure to COVID-19.
- Continue to work remotely, where possible.
- Masks or face coverings must be worn in all indoor public places in Sudbury and districts.
- Masks or face coverings should also be worn in other settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Wash your hands often and when visibly dirty for 15 seconds.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm or a tissue, throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Monitor and screen for symptomsof COVID-19.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you have a COVID-19 symptom or have been exposed to the virus as informed by Public Health or the COVID Alert app, get tested. Learn more about the eligibility and testing criteria for COVID-19 assessment centres. Stay informed and seek testing if necessary. On January 12, 2021, a province-wide state of emergency (Government of Ontario) was declared to protect Ontarians from COVID-19. A stay-at-home order was also announced and is currently in effect for all Ontarians. Enhanced public health and workplace safety measures (Government of Ontario) are in effect.
Updates about COVID-19 testing, confirmed cases and outbreaks in Greater Sudbury the District of Sudbury, and the District of Manitoulin are posted on the PHSD website.