Kingston Health Science Centre (KHSC) has announced that it’s re-introducing masking in high-risk patient areas in response to rising COVID-19 prevalence in southeastern Ontario.
The new protocol takes effect immediately and affects the Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centre and the Children’s Outpatient Clinic. Masking is strongly recommended on other units managing patients at high-risk.
“Throughout the pandemic, KHSC’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team has monitored local COVID-19 community prevalence markers including COVID-19 test positivity, outbreaks in congregate living settings, and wastewater detection. After falling to three per cent earlier this summer, test positivity is now approaching 10 per cent in southeastern Ontario,” KHSC said in a news release.
Further control measures will be re-introduced should local COVID-19 markers continue to rise in Kingston. Escalating control measures continues to be part of KHSC’s respiratory response plan.
To help reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19, KHSC is encouraging everyone who is eligible to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, get an annual flu shot, practice regular handwashing and wear a mask and stay home when sick.
As of September 7th, KFLA Public Health is reporting one COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, there are three individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, including one in an ICU.
More information can be found on the KHSC website.
