COVID outbreak declared within St. Joe’s dialysis unit

St. Joseph's Healthcare has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in its dialysis unit at the Charlton campus after three patients tested positive.

In a release late Thursday, the health-care network said the three patients are all in isolation and following public health safety guidelines. Contact tracing is underway and all dialysis patients and staff at the Carlton campus are being tested for COVID-19.

St. Joe's says the unit is still safe.

The dialysis unit at St. Joe's Charlton campus remains a safe place for patients to receive their regularly scheduled care and treatment," the release states.

The hospital actively screens patients and staff for COVID-19, uses appropriate personal protective equipment and thoroughly cleans and disinfects the unit, including in between treatments, the release states.

Additionally, physical-distancing measures and barriers are in place in waiting areas and treatment spaces," the hospital says.

Katrina Clarke is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: katrinaclarke@thespec.com