COVID-19: University Hospital curbs admissions as growing outbreak infects 34, kills one

“We’re opening at least a dozen more beds, maybe two dozen beds, at the Victoria Hospital site to help,” Johnson said.

The health unit is recommending all patients and staff on medical floors at University Hospital be masked at all times.

Though LHSC has some employees self-isolating, it is not yet feeling a significant staffing shortage due to the outbreaks, Johnson said.

“We’re not faced with a critical staffing crunch right now, but we’re always trying to plan in case something happens,” he said.

Despite the spate of cases at University Hospital, Johnson reiterated LHSC remains a safe place for patients to seek health care.

“Hospitals have to deal with a variety of outbreaks regularly. We have lots of protocols around that. . . . We’ve taken the appropriate steps,” Johnson said. “People shouldn’t be worried about having to come to the hospital.”

The expanded outbreak declaration comes days after LHSC chief executive Paul Woods, in a hospital-wide internal email, scolded staff for flouting public health rules during breaks and meals. Woods threatened discipline, up to and including termination, for staff who don’t comply with rules on face masks and physical distancing on the job.

The bulletin drew swift condemnation from unions at the hospital, claiming management hasn’t done enough to keep staff safe.

A St. Joseph’s Health Care London site also is working to contain a COVID-19 outbreak in one of its units. On Monday, London-area public health officials declared an outbreak at Parkwood Institute’s veterans care unit, a 192-bed ward that offers continuing and long-term care to Canadian veterans.

jbieman@postmedia.com