Outbreak in St. Catharines hospital ICU

A new COVID-19 outbreak at St. Catharines hospital has been declared in the intensive care unit.

Niagara Health spokesperson Steve Gallagher confirmed a health-care worker tested positive for the virus.

He said the hospital system’s investigation determined the transmission occurred in the hospital.

Derek McNally, Niagara Health’s executive vice-president, clinical services and chief nursing executive, said in a release, “We’re working to our fullest capacity to prevent further spread of this virus, protect the health and well-being of our patients, staff and physicians, and bring a timely and safe resolution to this outbreak.

“This is a highly contagious virus, and this outbreak reinforces the need for all of us to be vigilant in infection control, including meticulous cleaning practices and hand hygiene, physical distancing, and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.”

Niagara Health’s infection prevention and control teams are working closely with Niagara Region Public Health on the outbreak.

Measures in place include contact tracing of patients and staff, enhanced cleaning of the unit and dedicated staffing and equipment, McNally said.

The ICU will continue to admit patients. There are currently five patients receiving care in the unit.

There were just two new COVID-19 cases reported in Niagara Thursday, said Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara’s medical officer of health. There were 11 the day before.

“We are now dealing with smaller numbers in Niagara, so they will fluctuate a bit more,” he said “We are a long way from this being over.”

To date, Niagara has had 542 total cases of COVID-19, with 118 still active. A total of 371 cases have been resolved, and Niagara accounts for 53 of the 1,590 deaths in Ontario.

Public health reported that, to date, 335 women have contracted COVID-19 compared to 207 men.

“A large part of the cases are in the 85-plus group,” Hirji said. “In that 85-plus group, a lot of the people are in long-termcare homes. What we may be seeing is a result of having more females in those long-termcare homes.”