Another patient has died due to an ongoing outbreak at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care as hospital staff ask local MPP for help.
The outbreak at the Penetanguishene facility’s Horizon program that’s linked to a COVID-19 variant of concern now includes eight confirmed positive patient and eight positive staff cases.
"We have confirmation that one of the individuals in the current outbreak was positive for a particular mutation indicating a high probability that this individual has a variant strain of concern of COVID-19," the hospital noted in a statement.
"We do not have confirmation which variant of concern it is. All other cases are being tested for the variant of concern. We have not yet received any results but are managing the outbreak following the guidelines for the variant of concern."
Waypoint declared a COVID-19 outbreak on the Horizon Program for geriatric psychiatry that's located in the Bayfield Building Jan. 22 in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
MidlandToday has also learned that some hospital staff have made a desperate plea to Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop asking for more N95 masks.
One note reads: “If it’s not too much trouble, can you ask Doug Ford to send some PPE to Waypoint? Our employer says they are low on N95s, so some of those would be great since we are under outbreak and many of our awesome staff and patients are now infected.
“I can pick up anywhere local, just let me know where and when! Thanks Jill.”
In response, Waypoint noted all staff on the Horizon Program have reusable elastomeric respirators and as well as all PPE required by public health guidelines.
"The elastomeric respirators are above and beyond public health recommendations on personal protective equipment, and as they are reusable, aid with required conservation efforts. This process was reviewed by the Ministry of Labour and we have received no orders at this time. The investigation is continuing and we are working collaboratively with all parties to ensure all precautions are in place."
As reported Tuesday, the hospital recently experienced a shortage of N95 masks on the Horizon unit. This led to a visit from the Ministry of Labour and included discussion on elastomeric respirators, which are reusable, but do require some training to use.
In an emailed response to questions relating to the apparent shortage and ministry visit, Waypoint said it is going beyond provincial and public health guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations with the provision of elastomeric respirators for Horizon staff upon request.
"PPE conservation remains a priority as the pandemic status and projections are continually changing, and with the new variants of concern and delays in the vaccine," the hospital noted in a statement to MidlandToday Tuesday. "The hospital has limited inventory of disposable N95 masks, however the elastomeric respirators are reusable and aid with our conservation efforts.”
The hospital also expressed its “deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by this loss, felt by all.
“Managing the outbreak on the Horizon Program is our top priority right now and we have all the necessary precautions in place. COVID-19 represents an unprecedented challenge to our healthcare system, and as the pandemic continues we are committed to continually adapting our processes to ensure the highest level of safety.”
The statement goes on to thank staff for their care and compassion during this difficult time.
"We have had a number of staff from across the hospital volunteer to work on the program and their efforts along with everyone who has been redeployed to Horizon are greatly appreciated,” it noted.
"We are offering numerous wellness supports for our staff so they can continue to provide excellent care to our patients.”
As well, the Horizon Program is currently closed to transfers unless for emergency medical reasons until the outbreak is over. The hospital remains open for admissions to our Swing Unit (isolation unit) and all other clinical programs are continuing activities.
An earlier confirmed COVID-19 outbreak in the Penetanguishene facility’s Awenda A & B (forensic) units is now over. According to Waypoint, the Awenda program outbreak was contained to two patients and one staff testing positive and declared over by the health unit Saturday.
Since the pandemic began last March, Waypoint has reported 15 positive patient cases (reduced by one as numbers were incorrectly reported on Feb. 1), 23 positive staff (includes an unreported positive inadvertently missed in October) cases and four deaths.
