COVID-19 outbreak at acute elderly care unit of Brampton Civic Hospital

An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at Brampton Civic Hospital’s Acute Care of Elderly (ACE) unit.

The William Osler Health System says Peel Public Health and the system’s Infection Prevention and Control department declared the outbreak last Friday (Oct. 7).

Osler says the unit will remain open to new admissions.

There are also three active outbreaks at Etobicoke General Hospital in the 7 East Cardiology, 7 West Stroke and 10 East units.

“The health and safety of Osler’s patients, staff, physicians, volunteers and the community is a top priority,” the Osler website reads.

Data from Peel Public Health earlier this week showed there were more than a dozen COVID-19 outbreaks in Mississauga and Brampton long-term care and retirement homes.

Back in July, outbreaks of the virus were declared in both the Oncology Unit and the Stroke Unit at Brampton Civic.

And last December the Respirology unit of Brampton Civic was also placed on precautions due to COVID-19. All non-urgent surgeries and procedures at Brampton Civic Hospital were temporarily put on hold earlier this year due to the province changing pandemic restrictions, and staff shortages.

Osler says COVID-19 outbreaks are declared based on guidance set out by the province, when two or more individuals who test positive for acute respiratory illness with any common link, and at least one of which is a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 case.

The health system oversees operations at Brampton Civic, the Peel Memorial Centre and Etobicoke General Hospital.