CORNWALL, Ontario – The Omicron variant has been a challenge for the Cornwall Community Hospital, with more patients than ever being admitted, and a lot of staff members have caught the virus as well.
As of Feb. 9, there were 26 active and 52 inactive COVID-19 patients (inactive patients are no longer actively shedding the virus but still require hospitalization) at CCH. Approximately half of the 26 patients with an active COVID infection are unvaccinated. In addition, there are currently 4 patients with COVID in the Critical Care Unit (CCU).
Also, there are currently 24 staff members off with COVID-19.
The Cornwall Community Hospital has experienced many challenges due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, resulting in a shortage of staff in certain areas of the hospital.
“For the first time in several weeks, CCH is beginning to see some relief from COVID-19 admissions and staff shortages. We hope the worst of the Omicron variant is behind us and that we can look forward to the new opportunities and challenges which lie ahead for the hospital in 2022. Everyone has been doing everything they can during this unprecedented time, and I am so immensely proud of the CCH team for coming together to support each other and our patients. In my opinion, teamwork has been the real story of this most recent wave of COVID-19 at CCH,” said Jeanette Despatie, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Lorne Scharf and the Cornwall Community Hospital continue to emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated.
“We’re primarily observing hospitalizations and severe illness in two types of patients at this point: unvaccinated patients and immunocompromised patients, and unvaccinated patients continue to be hospitalized at an unproportionate rate. It is a reminder to everyone to please get vaccinated and get boosted. Getting vaccinated will protect you from getting severely ill and will also help protect our hospital resources,” said Dr. Scharf, Chief of Staff and Emergency Physician.
