For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2021
LONDON, Ontario – Today, the outbreak at the Emergency Department at London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) University Hospital (UH) has been resolved. This marks the first time there are no active COVID-19 outbreaks at LHSC since November 10, 2020.
“I’d like to thank our staff and physicians for their dedication to patient care during extremely challenging circumstances that, for many, required personal sacrifices such as work quarantine,” says Dr. Adam Dukelow, Chief Medical Officer, LHSC. “As pleased as we are to resolve outbreaks within our facilities, we must also acknowledge and share our deepest condolences with the friends and families of our patients who have lost their lives to COVID-19.”
Infection control measures and safety precautions such as limiting staff and physician movement across medical units and facilities will remain in place, as will current visitor restrictions. However, over the past weeks, LHSC has been closely monitoring its inpatient and critical care capacity and increasing surgical capacity as the outbreaks continued to resolve.
“Today brings welcome news, and there are signs for optimism in our community, however, it is critically important for everyone to continue to follow public health guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic is not over, and there is a possibility for future outbreaks,” adds Dr. Dukelow. “Safeguarding the health of our patients and their families, staff and physicians is of the utmost importance and remains our top priority. It is important that people do not delay seeking emergency care when needed and if you or your loved one is experiencing an emergency or serious medical injury call 911 immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.”
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 146 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 70 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
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For media inquiries contact:
Marek Kubow
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 75155
Marek.Kubow@lhsc.on.ca
After-hours assistance:
Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communicator on-call
