Toronto Rehab declares coronavirus outbreak at University Centre site

The University Health Network (UHN) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Toronto Rehab’s University Centre after four patients tested positive for the virus.

The outbreak is in the facility’s Musculoskeletal, Multisystem and Geriatric Rehab Inpatient Unit, according to an email sent to UHN members, provided to Daily Hive.

A neighbouring unit is also being monitored as the two share some facilities.

In the email, UHN says they took immediate action following the declaration of the outbreak, including surveilling the symptoms of patients and staff in the affected unit, contract tracing of positive patients and staff, terminal cleaning of the unit, and limiting the movement of staff, physicians, residents, and learners from the outbreak unit.

Patients in the Musculoskeletal, Multisystem and Geriatric Rehab Inpatient Unit were tested for coronavirus on October 20 and will be retested on October 26, said the email. Patients in the neighbouring unit are being tested on October 22, as are staff and physicians from both units.

The facility says it will conduct an environmental assessment, including a review of measures in place to encourage physical distancing, following the outbreak.

Toronto Western Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and St. Michael’s Hospital have all declared coronavirus outbreaks this month.