COVID-19 outbreak declared in unit of St. Paul's Hospital

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared on unit 5A in the Heart Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital after patients tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Vancouver Coastal Health, the affected unit is closed to new admissions and transfers at this time.

“All visitation has been suspended until the outbreak measures have been lifted; the exception being for compassionate visits at the end of life,” officials said.

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In response to the outbreak, Vancouver Coastal Health said it has implemented strict infection prevention and control protocols to prevent further transmission of COVID-19, including:

• Careful monitoring of patients, staff and physicians
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of all high-touch surfaces
• Closing the units to patient admissions and transfers
• Cohorting of staff to the affected areas
• 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)

Vancouver Coastal Health is also in the process of notifying patients on the affected unit as well as their families.

Other than the affected unit, however, St. Paul’s “remains open and is prepared to safely receive and care for all individuals who require urgent and emergent care.”