Message from Northumberland County Hospital CEOs

Northumberland has done better than average in the pandemic but there has been an uptick of cases in Ontario and the CEOs of Northumberland’s two hospitals decided it was important to communicate with the public. Unlike most posts on this news blog, their statement is provided unedited or summarized:

Statement from Hospital CEOs

With the concerning uptick in COVID-19 cases in Ontario, infectious disease experts, health care providers and public health leaders are strongly encouraging Ontarians to stay vigilant and do all in our power to follow the public health measures that will help to minimize spread, keep our province functioning and avoid wide-scale illness and even death.

On September 13, the President of the Ontario Hospital Association also issued a statement, emphasizing the “personal responsibility” we all have as citizens to stick with “the public health measures that are essential to saving lives and preventing a second wave of this deadly pandemic.”

Linda Davis
Linda Davis

As the CEOs of Northumberland County’s two acute care hospitals, we echo these calls to action.  [File photo of Linda Davis at right].

Our teams have worked hard to safely and gradually restart the flow of patients, visitors and (to a limited degree) volunteers into Northumberland’s two hospitals: Northumberland Hills and Campbellford Memorial. Screening at our entrances, universal masking and physical distancing inside our buildings are just some of the steps we are taking to ensure safety while delivering care, together with some limitations on visiting. The majority of surgeries, procedures and tests have now resumed for patients whose non-urgent procedures had to be postponed during the first wave in order to maintain hospital capacity.

The pandemic has been with us for more than six months. Up to now, Northumberland County had experienced far fewer confirmed positive cases than many regions in the province. We could all take personal pride in this hard-won accomplishment, as it was the result of diligent and deliberate efforts by many to follow public health advice.

In the past month, however, we have unfortunately seen a steady increase in the number of positive cases in Northumberland County. We have also, sadly, received confirmation from our Public Health partner of Northumberland’s first COVID-19-related death. And we know from the experience of other regions of Ontario and other corners of the world, the situation can change very quickly. Relatively low rates of confirmed positive cases and death can increase if public health advice is not heeded.

Northumberland is not a COVID-19 hotspot—yet. Schools have reopened. Business have returned to service. But we cannot be complacent. As the province cautioned when it announced on September 19 that private social gatherings would once again be curtailed, we each need to maintain our personal commitment to do all in our power to minimize the chances this virus has to spread.

Four simple but critical actions are going to be key to keeping our families and our communities safe at this time:

  • keep 2 metres (6 feet) of space between yourself and others outside your household
  • wear a face covering if physical distancing is a challenge or mandated (as it is in hospitals)
  • wash hands frequently and thoroughly
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

With the flu season almost upon us, inpatient occupancy levels already extremely high in our Northumberland hospitals, and a second wave of COVID-19 said to be landing in some parts of our province, we in Northumberland are facing a possible coming together of forces that could seriously impact our hospitals’ ability to deliver the essential health services patients and families rely on us to provide. Our teams are ready to do all in our power to meet the need for care as it arises. It is critical that we each continue to follow the four simple steps above. COVID-19 is in Northumberland, but if we stay vigilant we can certainly stop it from getting out of control.

On behalf of our teams, thank you for all that has been done in Northumberland, in households, businesses and organizations, to keep COVID-19 cases low to this point. Thank you, too, for your continued kindness to one another as we all respect the necessary precautions. We are, without a doubt, in this together.

For the latest hospital news on COVID-19, and links to useful local, regional and provincial resources, including Assessment Centre information should you need to get tested, please see our websites: www.nhh.ca/covid-19 and www.cmh.ca.

Sincerely,

Linda Davis,
President and CEO, Northumberland Hills Hospital

Varouj Eskedjian
President and CEO, Campbellford Memorial Hospital

End of Statement

Let’s not spoil our current good record.
Note that the latest Covid-19 status in Cobourg is updated on this page.

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Ken
3 years ago

If one is exposed to someone else with Covid-19, how long will it take for that exposed person to show any symptoms? I have to guess that it depends on the age of the recipient and the state of their physical health?
Any answers?

Kevin
Reply to  Ken
3 years ago

Usually it is 5 to 6 days but can be up to 14 days from what I understand. This is why the self isolation period is 2 weeks when entering Canada. In some cases it can be more than 14 days before showing symptoms.

Wally Keeler
3 years ago

The Legion Village will remain under lock down until Oct 2.

Wally Keeler
3 years ago

Went to the “Covid-19 in Cobourg” page listed on the righthand side of this blog and this is the message “Legion Village, Visitors with strict conditions, Until further notice” The fact is that there are no visitors until further notice.

Wally Keeler
3 years ago

https://www.northumberlandnews.com/news-story/10207366-one-positive-covid-19-case-confirmed-at-seniors-apartment-in-cobourg/?fbclid=iwar2oqd_lsd0fdefj6oxtqp7bmzdpyziybzv0oari_62m3yr9nxiwzh-bkmg

A resident went to Montreal to visit family and returned Sunday not feeling well. I visited the Legion Village Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. I am currently self-quarantining and have an app’t for a covid test Sept29. I was temperature tested daily as I entered and they took my contact info. I have not been contacted. The legal guardian of my family member has not yet been notified of the covid infection, except by me. There is no news about whether or not all of the residents and staff are being tested. So it goes.

Last edited 3 years ago by Wally Keeler
Paul Pagnuelo
3 years ago

As someone who was an inpatient several times this summer because of a breathing disorder, I can attest first-hand to the dedication, commitment, personal sacrifice and risk which our NHH healthcare and support workers face daily without complaint.

We are most fortunate to have NHH as part of our community. I personally wish to thank all involved for their contribution in keeping us safe and well during these difficult times.

Cobourg residents appreciate all you do.

Wally Keeler
3 years ago

Just returned from Legion Village about an hour ago. Was prevented from seeing sister there. It is under lockdown because of covid contact.

Merle Gingrich
3 years ago

THANK YOU to our County Wide health care providers .
Merle Gingrich