Several staff members at the IWK Health Centre have been advised to self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19 after staff were alerted to a virus exposure in the hospital.
An email statement sent to Global News on Sunday reads, “we can confirm that a notice was shared with staff to alert them to a COVID-19 exposure at the IWK Health Centre.”
READ MORE: 26 new cases of coronavirus identified in Nova Scotia
The email statement sent from IWK Health Centre communications advisor, Nick Cox, outlines protocols the health centre is taking to respond to the exposure.
The response process is lead by the IWK’s occupational health safety and wellness team and follows the ‘usual processes’ for any infectious disease exposure.
It’s not clear from the email statement how the COVID-19 exposure at the children’s hospital happened or how many may have been exposed.
At this time, no changes to delivery or patient care have been deemed necessary.
Aberdeen Hospital temporarily stops surgeries
Officals with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) have also confirmed that a notice was shared with staff at Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, N.S., over a “COVID-19 situation involving an employee at the hospital.”
At this point, the NSHA is not aware of any direct patient contact in this case.
However, they have temporarily halted surgical services at Aberdeen Hospital until further notice.
That means the hospital will not be able to perform c-sections. Instead, pregnancy and delivery care will be provided at Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro, N.S., or St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, N.S.
“Urgent and emergent orthopedics cases are now being diverted to the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre,” said Fraser Mooney, an NSHA spokesperson.
“Urgent and emergency general surgery cases are being diverted to Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro.”
Contact tracing underway
In both incidents, contact tracing is underway to pinpoint which physicians and staff may have come been exposed to the virus.
Infection prevention and control is also participating in the response effort, by identifying any potential patients who may require follow-up.
Workers at Shannex now confirmed as COVID-19 cases
Shannex, a company that operates a series of long-term care homes, has confirmed that some of their employees in Nova Scotia have tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement from the Shannex Group indicates that the employees work at Arborstone Enhanced Care in Halifax an Harris Hall in Dartmouth.
The company says they’re working with Nova Scotia’s health officials to ensure all residents and employees are taking proper precautions.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.