Niagara Health declared an outbreak of COVID-19 at the St Catharines hospital on Saturday afternoon after a healthcare worker tested positive.

“The health, safety and well-being of everyone is our top priority,” says Derek McNally, Niagara Health’s Executive Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive in a written statement on Saturday evening.

“Our Infection Prevention and Control experts, working closely with Niagara Region Public Health and the NH Occupational Health and Safety team, will monitor the situation closely and will adjust measures as needed to respond to this outbreak.”

Enhanced safety measures now in place include temporarily closing the unit in question to all admissions and transfers, and following up with patients, staff and physicians who may have had direct contact with the healthcare worker as a precaution.

Niagara Heath says they are providing ongoing support.

Niagara Public Health reported 20 new cases of COVID-19 in the region on Saturday, bringing the total to 221.

This is a breaking story – More to come shortly.