Hamilton hotel turned hospital to cope with COVID surge now in outbreak protocol

A pop-up hospital intended to handle the overflow of patients stuck between care facilities due to rising COVID-19 cases is now under outbreak protocol.

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) said in press release late Wednesday that seven people have tested positive for novel coronavirus at its downtown Satellite Health Facility, the site of the former Crown Plaza Hotel.

The outbreak at the temporary hospital at 150 King St. E., in Effort Square, is limited to the third floor.

Five patients and two staff members have been infected. All are in self-isolation.

We are currently testing all health-care workers on the floor as well as any staff who may have spent prolonged periods of time there," said HHS spokesperson Tom Perry.

The affected floor is closed for admissions. Visitors are allowed only on compassionate grounds.

The temporary satellite facility opened in October as a joint venture between HHS and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton to increase capacity and reduce service backlogs amid the pandemic.

As of mid-December, up to 150 patients were scheduled to be transferred to the site, which was designed for people who do not require hospital care but are awaiting moves to community-based locations.

There are three other ongoing outbreaks in Hamilton hospitals, including one in the neurosurgery unit at Hamilton General Hospital in which a patient died Wednesday.

Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com