St. Joseph's Health Care. Photo by BlackburnNews.comSt. Joseph's Health Care. Photo by BlackburnNews.com
London

St. Joseph’s postpones surgeries for remainder of week

Over 50 patients scheduled to have a surgery or procedure done at St. Joseph's Hospital this week will unfortunately have to wait a little longer.

The hospital announced Tuesday that some elective procedures penciled in for December 14-17 are being postponed after a positive COVID-19 case was detected in a health care worker. A total of 58 patients are affected, hospital officials said.

"As of [Tuesday], there are 23 staff and physicians who have been exposed to the positive case. They have been tested and are isolating at home," read a statement from St. Joseph's Health Care. "At this time, there have been no additional positive cases of St. Joseph's staff or physicians as a result of the initial exposure to the health care worker."

Last Friday, St. Joseph's confirmed 36 non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries were pushed for the same reason.

"We regret the inconvenience and anxiety this may cause our patients and their families and wish to reassure our patients that their appointments will be rescheduled as quickly as possible," the statement added.

St. Joseph's said it wants to assure patients that its buildings are safe to enter and that the positive case has only affected operating rooms.

Those with appointments impacted by the changes will be contacted. Surgery patients who do not hear from a health care provider should ensure they come to their appointment as scheduled.

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