GUELPH – Officials say the COVID-19 tests results for all patients and residents at St. Joseph’s Health Centre – and all but two staff results received to date – have come back negative.
All 297 patients and residents were tested between April 17 and 20 at the centre, the site of the first positive case of COVID-19 in the region.
And the centre has received back 75% of the results for staff – almost 400 results – and the two asymptomatic staff members that tested positive are self-isolating at home.
“It is an immense relief to know that, when the swabs were completed, none of the patients or residents at St. Joseph’s were positive for COVID-19,” said David Wormald, president of St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph.
“We realize this is only a snapshot that provides information at a single point in time. We must remain vigilant and continue our exceptional infection prevention and control practices.”
A Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) update on May 1 stated a recent outbreak at St. Joseph’s – including one resident/patient case and six staff cases, as well as one death – is declared over. A previous outbreak at the facility impacted one staff member.
St. Joseph’s officials say the centre has taken a number of proactive steps to help ensure the safety of residents and patients, including testing asymptomatic patients, residents and staff.
“We are deeply grateful to our healthcare partners in Guelph, who came together to help St. Joseph’s complete this testing blitz,” stated Wormald.
“We know that our community of healthcare providers have a history of collaboration and they have demonstrated yet again how we are stronger when we work together.”
