An employee at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care has tested positive for COVID-19.
While no patients have so far tested positive, this marks the third time an employee has tested positive for the debilitating virus since the global pandemic began in March.
The staff member, who tested positive earlier this week, worked on four patient units last week that include Waypoint's Bayview, Forensic Assessment and Beckwith programs.
“We don’t have any further updates at this time and continue to only have the one staff positive result,” Waypoint president and CEO Carol Lambie said.
“”We have not had any change to our status at this time so are not considered in outbreak. We have tested the majority of patients affected, and are ensuring all staff who are high risk are not at work, isolating and getting tested.”
In a community update, Waypoint said it remains focused on infection prevention and control as it follows direction from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
So far, those directives have included suspending in-person visits on the four affected units with virtual visiting is being offered.
As well, patients from those units aren’t permitted to leave their unit and are being confined to their rooms for isolation from others where possible.
Testing for COVID-19 is also underway for patients and staff in the four affected units. Employees, who are deemed to be “a high-risk contact” with the staff member in question cannot be at work and must self-isolate and be tested.
The hospital has also suspended on-unit services that are not considered essential and patients can’t attend any off-unit appointments, unless they’re for emergency purposes.
Also starting today, Waypoint is requiring inpatients to wear a mask when outside of their rooms or within six feet of a healthcare worker.
“We want to assure our patients and their families, the community and our staff that we are working with the Health Unit on all required tracing and other risk mitigation strategies,” Lambie said.
“Our hospital has multiple safety measures in place and is working with our staff and patients to do our best to prevent any further spread. We will share any updates once we have them.”
