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Teenager charged after flood at Guelph General Hospital

Click to play video: 'Omicron cases pushing Ontario hospitals to the brink on both capacity and staffing'
Omicron cases pushing Ontario hospitals to the brink on both capacity and staffing
One of the main reasons behind adding public health restrictions is to protect hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. Already, two GTA hospitals have had to enact additional protocols over concerns for capacity and staffing, while planning is under way to get other hospitals through this latest wave. Matthew Bingley reports – Jan 4, 2022

Guelph police say a teenager has been charged after the emergency department at Guelph General Hospital flooded in early December, causing more than $5,000 in damage.

The teen was at the hospital waiting to be seen on Dec. 4 and was given a book by security to keep occupied.

Police allege the 17-year-old used the book to strike the overhead sprinkler system which caused it to spray out water for 40 minutes before staff were able to turn it off.

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The hospital said the flooding caused significant damage, with 20 per cent of the department being taken out of service for three weeks.

Affected areas included four treatment rooms, five seated patient areas and two hallway spaces.

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On Thursday, police announced the teenager was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with mischief over $5,000.

She will appear in court on Feb. 23.

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