PALMERSTON – A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Palmerston and District Hospital, after one inpatient and two staff members tested positive.
“The hospital is working with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) to respond to the outbreak including staff/patient COVID testing,” states a Dec. 9 press release from the Wellington Health Care Alliance, which operates the hospital.
“The exact variant of COVID-19 is not known at this time.”
The release adds, “There is currently no inpatient visiting permitted at the hospital apart from very limited, special circumstances.”
In response to the outbreak, obstetrical services will be temporarily redirected, officials say, directing obstetrical patients to check with their physician to determine the best care plan.
Palmerston and District Hospital’s emergency department, diagnostic imaging, ambulatory care, day surgery (not requiring hospital admission) services remain open.
Officials say patients should call ahead to confirm appointments, “as plans could change.”
This is the second COVID-19 outbreak declared a hospital within Wellington County since the outset of the pandemic.
The first, also at the Palmerston hospital, was declared on Jan. 28 of this year and deemed over on Feb. 18.
That outbreak affected six patients, including five deaths, and five staff members over three weeks.
