Vancouver Coastal Health says there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in one unit at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Hospital.
The outbreak was declared on the Complex Activation Medical Unit (CAMU) after three patients tested positive for COVID-19, explains a news release.
"The CAMU unit is closed to new admissions and transfers at this time," says VCH. "All visitation to this unit has been suspended until the outbreak measures have been lifted; the exception being for compassionate visits at the end of life."
Prevention and Control protocols
Vancouver Coastal Health has immediately implemented strict Infection Prevention and Control protocols to prevent further transmission of COVID-19. These include:
- 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 area
- Self-monitoring or self-isolation of staff/physicians as part of Public Health contact tracing
- Suspension of visitors to the units (with exemptions for end-of-life situations)
UBC Hospital remains open and is prepared to safely receive and care for all individuals who require urgent and emergent care. "Please do not delay in seeking care as this could exacerbate your condition."
Health officials announced 569 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday (March 10), for a total of 86,219 since the first case in B.C. was detected in January 2020.
With a file from Glen Korstrom/Glacier Media
