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Status Report: COVID-19 Outbreaks and Hospital Operations

Overview

With three regional hospitals experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and all hospitals experiencing high occupancy rates and staffing challenges, Horizon will be providing regular updates on hospital operations, services, and COVID-19 outbreaks.

Despite this, anyone with an appointment at a Horizon hospital or health care facility should continue to attend unless notified. Our staff and physicians are working diligently to provide care and comfort to our patients during these outbreaks.

This report will be updated only when situations evolve.

Hospital Operations

Hospital Occupancy Rates

Horizon regional hospital average:94%

  • Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (Fredericton) (DECRH):95%
  • Miramichi Regional Hospital (MRH):92%
  • The Moncton Hospital (TMH):94%
  • Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH):>100%
  • Upper River Valley Hospital (Waterville) (URVH):90%

COVID-19 Inpatients

Horizon total:34 COVID-19 patients, including 16 in ICU

  • DECRH:
    • COVID-19 Unit patients:7
    • ICU COVID-19 patients:1
    • MRH:
      • COVID-19 Unit patients:3 
      • ICU COVID-19 patients: 3
      • TMH:
        • COVID-19 Unit patients:18
        • ICU COVID-19 patients:2
        • SJRH:  
          • COVID-19 Unit patients:5
          • ICU COVID-19 patients:9
          • URVH:
            • COVID-19 Unit patients:1
            • ICU COVID-19 patients:1


Emergency Departments

Horizon Emergency Departments are currently experiencing high patient volumes and staffing issues. To avoid long wait times, please keep the emergency department for emergencies only.

Reminder: Emergency Departments

Horizon Emergency Departments are currently experiencing high patient volumes and staffing issues. To avoid long wait times, please keep the emergency department for emergencies only.

Remember, there are options for receiving non-urgent care – including your primary care provider, pharmacist, after-hours clinics, virtual care, Tele-Care 811 and the Urgent Care Centre at Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital for the Saint John area.

To help choose the best option for your care, visit sowhywait.ca.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or proceed to your local Emergency Department. Emergency, critical and urgent cases will always be treated as quickly as possible.

COVID-19 Outbreaks


The Moncton Hospital (TMH)

As of this morning, 30 patients and 7 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 in relation to the outbreaks on inpatient units at the hospital.

There was 1 new patient positive case on 5100 on Thursday, Dec. 2. There were 2 new positive cases on 4600 – 1 on each Monday, Nov. 29 and Tuesday, Nov. 30. There have been no new cases on 3600 since Friday, Nov. 26.

There was one new staff case on the COVID-19 Unit (Unit 6600). Our investigation determined this transmission meets the definition of an exposure, not an outbreak.

Patients and staff were tested Thursday, Dec. 2. Patients will be tested again Monday, Dec. 6 and staff will be tested again Tuesday, Dec. 7.

The affected units are: Stroke and Family Medicine Unit (Unit 4600) (including patients from Unit 4400 – Rehabilitation, who have been transferred to this unit); Family Practice and Geriatric Unit (Unit 5100); and Family Medicine and Palliative Care Unit (Unit 3600).

We have expanded testing of patients to other units at The Moncton Hospital to ensure there are no other asymptomatic cases (sentinel surveillance). No cases have resulted from this testing. 

There are currently 18 patients on the COVID-19 Unit (18 related to the outbreaks) and 2 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The hospital is maintaining as many services as possible, and we are encouraging patients to continue to come in for scheduled surgeries and appointments, such as Labour and Birth services and ambulatory care and professional services. Some non-urgent surgeries may be postponed; those affected will be notified.  

Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH)

There have been no positive cases since Thursday, Nov. 25, when 2 patients tested positive for COVID-19 in relation to the outbreaks on inpatient units at SJRH. No staff have tested positive in relation to these cases.

The affected units are: Orthopaedic Surgery (3CS) and Internal Medicine (4CN).

All hospital services are continuing, and patients should come in for appointments, such as Labour and Birth services and ambulatory care and professional services. Some non-urgent surgeries may be postponed; those affected will be notified.  

Ridgewood Veterans Health Wing

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Horizon’s Ridgewood Veterans Health Wing in Saint John on Friday, Nov. 19. Three staff tested positive. There have been no positive cases since this time.

Miramichi Regional Hospital (MRH)

There have been no positive cases since Saturday, Nov. 27, when 1 patient tested positive for COVID-19. No staff have tested positive in relation to these cases.

The affected units are: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Family Practice Unit (2 West).

Testing protocols for staff and patients are in place on the affected units. \

Surgeries, procedures and treatments have been affected by the outbreak in the ICU, as staff were needed to open and sustain a second ICU. Patients should continue to come in for appointments, such as surgeries; Labour and Birth services; and ambulatory care and professional appointments unless notified.

*There are no COVID-19 outbreaks at the DECRH or URVH.

Measures in place to stop the spread and support staff and patients at all hospitals with outbreaks

These temporary measures are in place to ensure the health and safety of our patients and clients, staff, physicians, and the community.

  • Horizon has implemented comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) precautions, such as enhanced cleaning as well as contact tracing to protect the health of patients and staff.
  • Patient and staff in affected units are being tested regularly. Inpatients are being screened for COVID-19 symptoms twice a day (every 12 hours).
  • During this time, there will be no patient admissions or transfers to and from affected units.
  • Horizon’s Designated Support Person (DSP) program will be temporarily suspended on these units and Horizon’s existing visitor restrictions remain in place.
  • We understand it is difficult for families and friends to be separated from their loved ones during this period. We encourage people to use technology to connect with our patients.

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For more information contact:

Kris McDavid
Media Relations
1-877-499-1899
media@horizonnb.ca
horizonnb.ca/news