COVID-19 outbreak declared at Group Health Centre

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared on the second floor surgery/primary care department at the Group Health Centre on McNabb St.

Algoma Public Health has identified eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in this outbreak.

GHC has decided to reschedule non-urgent colonoscopies from Dec. 14 to Dec. 23.

They will contact anyone with an appointment to reschedule as soon as possible.

For more information, please see the news release included below.

Group Health Centre (GHC) is currently monitoring an outbreak of COVID-19 within the second floor surgery/primary care department at the 240 McNabb St. location. Algoma Public Health (APH) has identified eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to this outbreak.

The Ministry of Health defines a COVID-19 outbreak as two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases involving patients or staff within a specified area within a 14-day period where both cases could have reasonably acquired their infection in the facility. 

GHC is working closely with APH as they perform contact tracing. At this time, we are contacting any individuals who had an in-person appointment in those areas on Dec. 8, 9, or 10. If you are not contacted, you are not considered to be at risk in this instance and should continue to self-monitor as normal.

In an abundance of caution, GHC has decided to reschedule non-urgent colonoscopies that were planned to take place between Dec. 14 - Dec. 23. If you have an upcoming surgery appointment that is impacted by this schedule change, you will be contacted as soon as possible to reschedule. Apart from these changes to GHC’s surgical schedule, GHC clinics and scheduled appointments are currently planned to proceed as usual.

GHC continues to be a safe place for patients, essential patient companions, staff, and care providers by following all public health guidelines and best practices as determined by APH and the Ministry of Health. This includes patient screening, PPE usage, staff screening, handwashing, waiting-room capacity limits, enhanced cleaning & sanitation, and the use of virtual visits where possible.

All GHC physicians and nurse practitioners are happy to provide virtual visits for patients who prefer this option. To arrange a virtual visit, please contact your physician or nurse practitioner’s office.