Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) has made the difficult decision to postpone its 20th Anniversary Open House and Tour planned for Wednesday, October 18. The decision has been made
following a COVID-19 outbreak identified late yesterday on the Inpatient Rehabilitation (1A) and Restorative Care (1B) Units.
“While the event and tours would not have involved entry into care areas where patients were present, our Infection Prevention and Control team has agreed that this is not the right time to welcome large numbers into the building for a celebration,” said Susan Walsh, President and CEO. “With our volunteer partners we were very much looking forward to marking this special milestone together with the community we serve. Out of an abundance of caution we will be pausing the public celebration at this time.”
NHH’s 20th Anniversary Working Group thanks all the staff, physicians, midwives, volunteers, and community partners who volunteered their time to support both the open house and behind-the-scenes tours. A special thank you is owed to you all who registered for a tour. Direct emails and phone calls are now being made to these individuals to ensure they are aware, and staff and volunteers will be stationed at the entrance October 18 to advise any who might miss the communication. At this time, no alternate date has been planned.
“NHH is grateful for Northumberland’s interest in this community event, and we apologize for any inconvenience the postponement has caused. As discussed with our Infection Prevention and Control leads, this outbreak serves as an important reminder that, while we have made positive strides in learning to live with the virus, COVID-19 remains in circulation,” said Susan Walsh. “It is our collective responsibility to remain vigilant in protecting ourselves and the patients we serve.”
Important ways you can protect yourself and others in the community from COVID-19 and other viruses, include:
• Staying up to date on your COVID-19 and influenza vaccines;
• Screening daily for signs of illness and staying home when you are sick;
• Washing your hands often;
• Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze; and
• Regularly cleaning high touch surfaces.
Visiting has been temporarily paused to patients in NHH’s Inpatient Rehabilitation and Restorative Care Units, with limited exceptions. Visiting continues as usual outside the Inpatient Rehabilitation and Restorative Care Units unless patients are in isolation for COVID-19 infection or exposure. All visitors are reminded that masking guidelines continue to be in place and enforced throughout clinical and patient care areas and NHH’s Community Mental Health offices. Free masks are provided on entry and visitors are expected to keep their medical-grade mask on at all times (or over top of their personal cloth mask) while inside clinical and patient care areas, including inpatient rooms.
For additional information, please see the related news release and NHH Visiting Guidelines at nhh.ca
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
