Sunnybrook declares outbreak in surgical unit

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared in a surgical unit on Friday at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto, after five cases of the virus were identified.

Three cases were linked to the hospital’s “regular surveillance.” These initial cases triggered more testing on the unit that led to the two additional cases, the hospital said in a statement to the Star.

One of the patients has been discharged from the hospital and all are asymptomatic.

The hospital remains open for all scheduled clinics, procedures and emergency visits.

The latest outbreak means at least seven hospitals are dealing with outbreaks in Toronto.

An outbreak is declared when two or more people who could have reasonably caught COVID-19 in hospitals test positive within 14 days. On Thursday, the Scarborough Health Network said six patients were infected in one unit at its general hospital, and the University Health Network said it was dealing with an outbreak involving four patients at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

The Scarborough Health Network said its general hospital had closed the unit experiencing the outbreak to new admissions in order to protect patients and staff. Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said outbreaks have an impact on hospitals’ ability to conduct surgeries.