Horizon Provides Update On Outbreaks, Operations

The interim president and CEO of Horizon Health is asking for continued patience over the holiday season.

Dr. John Dornan says the province’s hospitals and health care system remain under “considerable pressures” as we enter our second pandemic holiday season.

Dornan said all hospitals are operating with reduced staffing resources, and many are dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.

“Despite this strain on our health care system – and, more importantly, the added stress on the dedicated health care professionals that make it run – we continue to provide as many urgent and emergency services as possible,” Dornan said in a statement Wednesday.

“But we know we are not able to provide care for everyone in a timely manner, and we ask that you continue to be patient as we prioritize the sickest and most vulnerable patients.”

The health authority said occupancy rates at its five regional hospitals range from 83 per cent at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton to 106 per cent at the Upper River Valley Hospital near Woodstock.

Occupancy rates are at 92 per cent at The Moncton Hospital, 97 per cent at the Saint John Regional Hospital, and 98 per cent at the Miramichi Regional Hospital.

As of Wednesday, Horizon was treating 29 patients with COVID-19 at its five regional hospitals, including 16 who were in intensive care.

Update on outbreaks

Officials with the health authority also provided updates about ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks at its facilities.

Four units at The Moncton Hospital continue to deal with outbreaks, but the health authority said three of the units — Unit 3600 (Family Medicine and Palliative Care), Unit 4600 (Family Medicine) and Unit 6600 (COVID-19 Unit) — have not reported any new cases since Dec. 9 or earlier.

A new positive staff case was confirmed Monday on Unit 5100 (Family Practice and Geriatrics) and a positive patient case was confirmed on Dec. 13.

At the Miramichi Regional Hospital, there are outbreaks on the Alternate Level of Care (4 East), Stepdown (2 West), Intensive Care (ICU) and Family Practice (2 West) units. No new cases have been reported since the outbreaks were declared.

The COVID-19 outbreak on the General Surgery Unit (4SW) at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton has had no new cases since the outbreak was declared last Friday.

Meanwhile, the outbreaks on the Orthopaedic Surgery (3CS) and Internal Medicine (4CN) units at the Saint John Regional Hospital have been declared over, along with an outbreak at the Ridgewood Veterans Health Wing in Saint John.

Visitor restrictions

Visitor restrictions remain in place at all Horizon hospitals and health care facilities in an effort to reduce risks related to COVID-19.

No social visitors are allowed but some exceptions are in place for certain patients, including those eligible for a designated support person.

“We understand it is difficult if you are unable to be with a loved one in hospital over the holidays, but we must prioritize the safety of our vulnerable people and facilities,” said Dornan. “Please be respectful to our frontline teams when discussing visitor restrictions.”

More details can be found on Horizon’s website.