Published On: April 14, 2020
(St. Thomas, ON) A health care worker at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, acquired through community transmission. The diagnosis was confirmed on April 13 and the individual is self-isolating at home. Prior to diagnosis, the individual wore the appropriate personal protective equipment while working at the hospital. Southwestern Public Health and STEGH are actively engaged in the investigation and contact tracing of staff and patients who were in close contact with the individual. Appropriate measures have been implemented to monitor and mitigate the potential spread of the virus in the hospital.
“We are starting to see an increase in community transmissions of COVID-19. As a result, cases among health care workers are not unexpected in the region,” says Robert Biron, President and CEO at STEGH. “Keeping our patients and staff safe is our first priority, and our team acted quickly and decisively to address the situation.”
“I am reassured that the STEGH team is taking all necessary precautions and following public health guidance to limit COVID-19 transmission,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health.
Southwestern Public Health follows up with every confirmed and probable case of COVID-19. Anyone who has been in direct contact with a confirmed or probable case will be called by Southwestern Public Health and given special instruction for care. There have been 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Southwestern Public Health region, with 6 cases resolved.