Four test positive at Mississauga hospital

In-patients moved from rehabilitation unit focused on geriatric assessments

Four in-patients at Credit Valley Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19 in one of several outbreaks — including nursing homes — taking hold across the province as the number of cases approaches 3,000.

The four were in a rehabilitation unit that does geriatric assessments and have been moved to an area that exclusively treats patients with the new coronavirus, the hospital said.

“All other patients on the unit are being actively monitored for symptoms,” said a statement on the website of the Mississauga hospital that is part of the Trillium Health Partners System.

“All steps have been taken to quickly manage and identify individuals with potential exposure to the virus.”

A hospital source told the Star the initial COVID-19 patient caught the virus from an “outsider,” presumed to be a family member not showing symptoms of the virus, while on another ward before being transferred to the rehab unit. The illness spread from there.

Reports tallied by the Star from the 34 regional health units across the province at 5 p.m. Wednesday show there were at least 2,806 confirmed and probable cases and 82 deaths.

That’s an increase of 335 cases and 21 deaths from 10 p.m. Tuesday.

“These next two weeks will be absolutely critical,” Premier Doug Ford warned, urging people to stay home as much as possible to contain the spread.

Nationally, the federal public health department reported 5,590 cases and 105 deaths Wednesday.

Credit Valley did not specify what condition the four affected patients are in, but health officials warn that the elderly, people with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems are at higher risk from COVID-19.

Aside from serving as a geriatric assessment unit, the affected area does acute rehabilitation of neurological, medical and orthopedic patients and those with cognitive disabilities.

Deadly outbreaks at more than a dozen nursing homes, including Pinecrest in Bobcaygeon, Markhaven Home for Seniors and Seven Oaks in Toronto, have public health officials increasingly concerned with both residents and staff infected.

“We see very serious outbreaks that spread quickly with a lot of illness and, unfortunately, death,” said Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate medical officer of health.

Testing in long-term care homes is being increased to get “a better handle” on the situation, she added.

As Ontario’s case count rises, Yaffe said there were 332 people in the province in hospital, including 145 in intensive care with 98 of them on ventilators. That’s up from 291 in hospital, 125 in ICU and 82 on ventilators the previous day.

The Star’s count of COVID-19 deaths is based on the public tallies and news releases issued by the regional public health units. It is more recent than Ontario’s official reports, which come out daily at 10:30 a.m. and are based on health unit numbers entered into a provincial database by 4 p.m. the previous day.

According to provincial numbers, 689 people have recovered.

Yaffe said health units struggling to keep up with the pandemic are being given more resources to have staff keep the reports up-to-date so her officials have a more accurate picture of the situation.

“It’s a big challenge and we’re working on it constantly.”

Given that Ontarians with mild symptoms are not being tested, are asked to use an online self-assessment tool and stay at home unless their illness becomes severe, the actual number of people with COVID-19 is assumed to be hundreds or thousands higher.

“We see very serious outbreaks that spread quickly with a lot of illness and, unfortunately, death.”

DR. BARBARA YAFFE ASSOCIATE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR ONTARIO