The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is dealing with two more COVID-19 outbreaks.
On Monday, the public health unit in Chatham-Kent (CKPH) reported an outbreak in the dialysis unit and another outbreak in laboratory services that were declared on Sunday. The dialysis unit has two positive cases and lab services has three confirmed cases. CKHA said one staff person and one patient in the dialysis unit tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. Two staff members in laboratory services also received a positive test result along with a patient in the surgical unit that was exposed to a positive lab worker.
"Since the onset of this pandemic, CKHA has taken decisive and immediate action with the ever-evolving dynamics of COVID-19 in our community," said the hospital in a statement issued Monday afternoon. "The safety of our staff, physicians, patients, visitors and community at large, has and will remain our top priority. We will continue following these measures until the Medical Officer of Health for Chatham-Kent Public Health rescinds the outbreak order."
CKHA added it's working closely with CK Public Health on contact tracing for impacted staff and patients and providing guidance on the appropriate measures to take. Hospital officials said visitors and care partners will be restricted from attending the surgical unit until further notice unless it's through the posted exceptions or the appeals process. Access to other units remains unchanged. CKHA added it continues to monitor patients for symptoms of COVID-19 and any patient who develops symptoms of COVID-19 while in the hospital will be isolated and tested.
"We are confident we are able to get this outbreak under control, as we have put proper measures in place and continue to work closely with CK Public Health," said officials. "We thank them for their ongoing support as we work together to keep our patients and families safe."
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby said the outbreak was declared as soon as the applicable criteria to declare a hospital outbreak were met. On June 5, 2020, the province issued a directive that as soon as two or more staff and/or patients test positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period in a specified area (unit/floor/service), an outbreak is to be declared.
Meantime, there has been a significant jump in cases over the weekend. CKPH reported 18 new cases and five resolved cases for an increase of 13 active cases. The total number of active cases in Chatham-Kent is now up to 25. The number of local people hospitalized has also jumped by one to a total of two.
The number of vaccines given out by CK Public Health has hit 10,000. The clinic at the Bradley Centre is expected to reopen on Tuesday after another delivery of vaccines arrived on Monday. The clinic was closed this weekend because supply ran out on Friday. CKPH was averaging 1,200 shots a day during the first week of operation at the clinic.
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit began booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments for Indigenous Adults and their immediate household members who are 16 and over on Monday. Call 519-351-1010 to register for a shot at the John Bradley Convention Centre. Those in the Indigenous population wishing to pre-register for an outreach clinic can call, text or email info@skanaflc.com or 226-627-7820.
CKPH also announced new priority groups late on Monday that can now book appointments. They include adult recipients of chronic home care, high priority health care workers, and residents turning 80+ this year. Those groups can call 519-351-1010 from Monday-Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and leave a message. Calls will be returned from 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. For more information click here.
Chatham-Kent remains in the Orange-Restrict level of Ontario's public health and safety measures.