COVID-19 outbreak at psychiatric hospital being managed

Public health officials are closely monitoring an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Psychiatric Hospital, Black Rock, St. Michael.

Screening conducted on October 18 revealed two cases of COVID-19 on the Grassfield Ward and two in the Thrive Family Centre.  Through contact tracing, it was realised that there was a link between Grassfield Ward and the C Ward.  On October 20, three clients on the C Ward were found to be symptomatic.

A decision was made to subsequently screen all staff and clients of the Grassfield Ward.  As of October 22, results identified 43 positive cases out of the 56 clients in Grassfield.  Twenty-four of the positive persons were vaccinated.  There were two positives out of the 14 members of staff at Grassfield.  One of the positive staff members was vaccinated.

Results from tests conducted on the C Ward, as of October 22, revealed 64 positive cases out of the 65 patients there.  Sixty of these positive patients were vaccinated.  Two positives were identified on the C Ward out of the 14 staff members there.  One of these positive staff members was vaccinated.

In total, the Psychiatric Hospital detected 111 cases, as of October 22. Management and staff have put measures in place to manage the situation.  Due to the high infection rate in the facility, all staff and clients will be tested.  All staff are being kept up-to-date of the situation, and are being advised on how to isolate or quarantine appropriately to minimise risk to themselves and their families.

The two wards affected are now isolation units and quarantine protocols have been adopted on the other wards.  The hospital plans to implement a Safe Zone Operational Plan over the next coming days.

Staff of the affected wards are being trained and re-sensitised in infection prevention and control best practices.  Additional staff have been recruited to assist as substitutes for those who are COVID-19 positive.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to manage the situation at the Psychiatric Hospital and ensure that measures are implemented to limit further spread of COVID-19 within the facility and manage all patients. (MHW)