Update: 5:08 p.m. This article has been updated to include comment from the Homewood Health Centre.
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Three people have tested positive for COVID-19 at Guelph's Homewood Health Centre.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health confirmed reports, saying that currently two staff and one patient have tested positive.
"These cases are linked. This is an outbreak situation on the Addiction Medicine Service unit. WDG Public Health is working with Homewood who has already initiated increased infection controls," said WDGPH spokesperson Danny Williamson.
The three individuals are self-isolating.
There isn’t a quarantine, Public Health said, and contact tracing is underway for any individuals who may have had close contact with the three confirmed cases.
More information will be available as the situation progresses, said Public Health.
Last week four staff members at Guelph General Hospital tested positive and are self-isolating.
WDGPH has now had 48 confirmed cases, of which four have been resolved. There are 25 Guelph cases, seven in Wellington County and 15 in Dufferin County.
Public Health says 31 people are self-isolating, five are in hospital, two of those in intensive care.
Drew Burroughs, associate vice-president of marketing for Homewood, issued the following statement on behalf of the facility:
"Like all healthcare organizations navigating this uncertain and truly unprecedented time, Homewood Health Centre has been working at all levels to prepare for COVID-19. We have had three positive cases associated with the Health Centre and are working closely with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) on the necessary follow-ups and protocols.
"This afternoon, Public Health declared an outbreak in one program at the Homewood Health Centre. All individuals with confirmed tests are self-isolating at home. In order to limit the risk of exposure to our patients and staff, we have taken a number of measures over the last few weeks. We have mandatory, active screening stations at all our entrances for staff, patients, volunteers and vendors to ensure everyone entering our facility is in good health and is not registering a fever. We are screening new patients several times before they are admitted – including a wellness screen at admission – and are carefully monitoring the health and wellness of all our patients at Homewood Health Centre.
"Our facility was sprayed with a high quality, antimicrobial disinfectant last week – including all common areas and patient rooms – and our staff are all trained in infection control and prevention methods. We moved to eliminate therapeutic leaves and visitors to our facilities in advance of widespread adoption of these policies. As it is in all healthcare facilities, this situation continues to evolve rapidly and we are working with WDGPH and following all of their required guidelines to continue to limit the risk and protect our patients and our staff. We thank our team and all healthcare workers for their efforts on the front lines and our hearts go out to people and families suffering through the effects of COVID-19."
