Lake of the Woods District Hospital launched its pandemic plan on April 15 after two inpatients tested positive for COVID-19. Visitor restrictions were introduced immediately and remain in effect at this time, with limited exceptions for end-of-life patients. By April 18, the hospital had announced that the outbreak had escalated to include nine patients, six of whom acquired COVID-19 through the epidemic in the 3rd Eastern Division. The hospital noted that they were also facing “critical” staff shortages at the time. Now, the hospital says the outbreak has been limited to the 2E medical inpatient unit and there have been no new outbreaks of the hospital-acquired virus since the April 22 outbreak. “The diligent work of LWDH staff and professional staff, including patient isolation, asymptomatic testing and restriction of movement between wards, has limited the outbreak at this time,” the hospital’s management said in a statement. . As it stands, the hospital says there are five patients in the hospital due to the epidemic and four other residents have been admitted due to transmission to the community, however, these numbers may change daily. “The hospital leadership would like to thank the LWDH team for the amazing work they have done to curb this outbreak. It was not easy and this is an incredibly demanding period not only because of the pandemic but also because of unprecedented staff shortages. We thank, as well as the Northwestern Health Unit for their support as we navigate the next steps “, adds the leadership. The hospital notes that its Infection Control Team has worked with members of the Northwestern Health Unit to investigate the origins of the epidemic and to ensure effective control strategies.
