A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Richmond Hospital on Thursday, after staff in an elderly care unit tested positive for the virus.
The outbreak is in the 4 North Acute Care for the Elderly unit, which has since been closed to new admissions and transfers, according to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
“At this time, there is no impact to other areas of Richmond Hospital,” said VCH in a statement.
“There is no evidence of risk to patients or staff elsewhere in the hospital, and no risk to patients or staff visiting Richmond Hospital, which remains open and safe for everyone.”
Visitations — except for compassionate visits at the end of life — are suspended until the outbreak measures have been lifted.
Patients, and their families, at the affected units are being notified about the COVID-19 outbreak.
A VCH spokesperson told the Richmond News that they "cannot confirm the number" of staff tested positive for the virus at this time.
Richmond Hospital’s emergency department will remain open and the hospital is prepared to safely receive and care for patients who experience health conditions, reads the statement.
This is the second time that a COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Richmond Hospital. The first outbreak, declared in May, affected six people in total, four patients and two staff members in the medical ward.
To prevent further transmission of the virus, VCH has implemented the following:
Careful monitoring of patients, staff and physicians
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of all high-touch surfaces
- Closing unit to patient admissions and transfers
- Cohorting of staff to the affected area
- Self-monitoring or self-isolation of staff/physicians as part of Public Health contact tracing
- Suspension of visitors to the unit (with exemptions for end-of-life situations)
