COVID OUTBREAK AT HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL’S EAST WING SEES IT CLOSED IT TO VISITORS

HUNTSVILLE — An outbreak declared today in the east wing of the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital (HDMH) means no visitors are allowed in that wing after the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit placed it under unit-specific COVID-19 outbreak status.

As of March 29 testing of patients and staff there is occurring as part Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) outbreak management protocols.

And enhanced cleaning practices are underway to limit spread.

As well, the south wing at the same hospital site is under enhanced surveillance for COVID-19 and all patients are being monitored for symptoms.

MAHC says that at this time there are no restrictions for south wing visitors while under the enhanced surveillance.

However, adherence to mask wearing and good hand hygiene is paramount, they say.

This as the province reported today 64 COVID cases in Simcoe-Muskoka (106 yesterday) and 1,610 province-wide (7 deaths). Public Health Ontario also said there are 790 people in hospital including165 in ICU.