COVID-19 outbreak declared at SLMHC

Tim Brody - Editor

The Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) declared a COVID-19 outbreak last week in one section of the hospital.

In a Jan. 26 media release, SLMHC informed that the outbreak on the southpod wing of the inpatient unit was declared the previous day in collaboration with the Northwestern Health Unit.

“Following routine testing for patients during discharge and transfer processes, SLMHC identified more than two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days. This constitutes an outbreak when it’s presumed both cases could have reasonably acquired COVID-19 while in hospital,” 

SLMHC shared.

“Our outbreak management team responded immediately by utilizing our dedicated COVID-19 isolation unit, along with expanding the current infection control measures within the hospital,” Heather Lee, President and CEO of SLMHC, stated in the media release.

“Anyone at risk is notified in accordance with our COVID-19 policies and guidance from public health,” Lee noted. “We are continuing with contact tracing and have processes in place to provide the safest possible environment for our patients, staff and physicians. Our priority is to see this outbreak contained in a short period of time.”

SLMHC shared that, “In addition to continuing daily screening and adherence to personal protective equipment standards, such as masks and eye protection, SLMHC has its mandatory vaccination policy in place for staff, physicians and visitors. As a reminder, SLMHC currently has visitor restrictions in place.”

“We want to take this time to remind the public to continue practicing public health guidelines- get vaccinated, wear a mask and be safe,” Lee said.

People can find out more about visitor restrictions and how services are impacted at the hospital by visiting https://slmhc.on.ca/about/covid-19-information/.