MEDIA RELEASE, February 3, 2022
(Strathroy, ON) – For the first time in over a year, the Strathoy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH) is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. The Middlesex-London Health Unit, declared the outbreak on February 2, 2022 after two patients tested positive on the 1 South (Medicine) inpatient unit. Unit-level outbreaks for COVID-19 are declared, in partnership with the Middlesex-London Health Unit, as soon as there are two or more confirmed positive cases among patients or staff that could have possibly been acquired on an inpatient unit. After 10 days with no new cases, the unit level outbreak is declared over in consultation with the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU).
The patients and their families have been contacted. Staff and physicians in contact are being notified. Contact tracing and testing for staff and physicians is also taking place.
The unit is now closed to admissions until further notice. In addition, visitors and essential care providers are no longer permitted to visit the unit with the exceptions being provided for palliative care patients. Care teams will regularly update families/caregivers and make them aware of opportunities for virtual connections.
Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) President & CEO Todd Stepanuik stated “that the safety of everyone at our hospital sites is our top priority. MHA’s Infection Prevention and Control Specialist, Occupational Health Specialist and leadership team are monitoring the situation closely. We have taken immediate steps to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and physicians. Our teams have done incredible work to limit in-hospital spread over the past two years.”
The enhanced safety measures within our hospital sites include:
• Closure of the 1 South (Medicine) inpatient unit to new admissions
• Suspending patient visiting, with exceptions being provided for palliative care patients.
• Enhanced screening and testing of patients and staff
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the unit.
“We cannot thank and recognize our staff enough for their commitment to exceptional care throughout this pandemic.” says Julie McBrien, MHA Vice President,Clinical Services & Chief Nursing Officer.
The hospital would like to thank the Middlesex-London Health Unit for its ongoing support. MHA encourages all members of the community to continue following public health guidelines – including staying at home as much as possible, frequent hand washing, wearing a mask, physical distancing, getting fully vaccinated including your booster and not socializing with anyone outside of your immediate household.
More information and updates will be shared as they become available.
-30-
For local inquiries:
Middlesex Hospital Alliance
Julie McBrien
Vice President Clinical Services & Chief Nursing Officer
Julie.McBrien@mha.tvh.ca
(519) 245-5295 ext: 5506
www.mhalliance.on.ca
About MHA:
The Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) is comprised of two fully accredited partner sites: Four Counties Health Services and Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital. A progressive, team-oriented and technologically adept organization of excellence, the MHA is creating a more integrated and seamless approach to treatment by embracing and seeking out partnerships, through collaboration and investing in people. This coordinated approach helps to ensure that a high level of service is provided, while reducing costs and continually enhancing quality.