Hamilton Public Health, together with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH), has declared a COVID-19 healthcare worker outbreak at SJHH’s Special Care Nursery after three healthcare providers who work at the unit tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
One of the healthcare workers had no direct contact with patients and families, while the other two had either limited contact or contact while wearing a protective mask. They were not symptomatic while caring for the babies or family.
Contact tracing is underway to ensure all babies, family members and staff/physicians who had direct contact with the positive healthcare workers are tested and appropriate measures will be taken to limit transmission.
No babies or parents in the unit are symptomatic. All are being monitored closely. Medical evidence so far indicates that babies typically experience mild symptoms and recover from the illness.
SJHH has created a separate space for infants who may have been exposed during this time period. A deep cleaning of the unit is being done, and further infection prevention and control measures are in place.
The Special Care Nursery will continue to accept babies requiring care that are born at SJHH.
Additional Resources
• For regular City of Hamilton COVID-19 updates, please visit www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus and www.hamilton.ca/covidclosures
• Visit www.ontario.ca/coronavirus to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline 905-974-9848 or phscovid19@hamilton.ca
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