World News – CA – Northern Health reports precautionary outbreaks at Gateway Lodge University Hospital

Northern Health implements expanded precautions regarding the family medicine department at the University Hospital and Gateway Lodge in Prince George but unrelated – cases of COVID-19.

There are increased outbreak control efforts in both facilities. There is currently no evidence of an ongoing transmission.

A test-positive case was confirmed by an employee of the Gateway Lodge. Communication with employees, residents and families is ongoing.

As a precautionary measure, NH Medical Health Officers have reported a controlled outbreak related to the Family Medicine Unit (FMU) to UHNBC, based on criteria for reporting outbreaks in acute care.

In this case, there have been isolated laboratory-confirmed cases in staff who may have worked during their potential period of infection and in some hospital patients.

NH care facilities have very clear policies and procedures in place for the prevention and control of COVID-19 infections, and the risk of transmission to patients, staff and doctors at UHNBC is considered to be low.

The declaration on the precautionary outbreak is valid at least until the 16th. December, 14 days after a possible exposure to a laboratory-confirmed case. If there are no signs of disease transmission after this point in time, the outbreak can be declared over.

The precautionary outbreak declaration in the Gateway Lodge is valid until at least the 9th. December.

Because this outbreak is precautionary and applies to a single wing in the facility, pre-arranged social visits will not be suspended at this time and may continue.

Northern Health Public Health is closely monitoring for more cases, and NH is taking steps to protect the health of staff and those they care for, with improved precautionary measures against outbreaks such as (but not limited to):

University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, Northern Health, Gateway Lodge, Prince George, Disease Outbreak