Woodstock Hospital Releases Statement

Wednesday, 18 March 2020 14:36

CORRECTION: Woodstock Hospital staff are currently following 14 day self isolation protocol if they have travelled abroad. Previously however they were allowed to work and self monitor if they had just recently travelled, as was the case with the COVID-19 patient.

WOODSTOCK - The Woodstock Hospital has released a statement after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

The woman is in her 40's and is a resident of Brant County. She worked at the hospital for three days between March 9-11, when she became symptomatic and immediately left work to self isolate at home. Her duties at the hospital required limited patient contact.

The Woodstock Hospital has released the following statement:

As per recommendations from Southwestern Public Health Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock, hospital staff that have travelled outside of Canada and are not symptomatic may return to work and self-monitor for a period of 14 days. Self-monitoring includes checking for fever,cough or difficulty breathing.

Woodstock Hospital has implemented Ministry of Health and Infection Prevention and Control best practices for managing the confirmed COVID-19 staff case. This includes quarantining staff contacts for the 14 period of incubation, implementing patient exposure protocols and all components of infection control best practices with the goal of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our staff and patients. These measures are necessary to prevent additional exposures.

WGH President and CEO Perry Lang says this is a rapidly evolving situation.

“Woodstock Hospital is working collaboratively with our health care partners to monitor, assess and implement measures to
flatten the curve and slow down the spread of infections."

VP of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer Jayne Menard says they are taking certain precautions.

"The hospital has enhanced cleaning throughout the organization, implemented restricted visitor guidelines, is screening individuals at hospital entrances, and ramping down non-emergent surgeries, clinics and outpatient visits.”