The number of people with COVID-19 exploded in just a few days at the Verdun Hospital, where at least 55 people are infected, according to two unions.
• Read also: The latest developments in the pandemic
The number of people with COVID-19 exploded in just a few days at the Verdun Hospital, where at least 55 people are infected, according to two unions.
Two outbreaks of the virus were identified in the building, caused by symptomless doctors who toured the floors.
“We are told that it is under control, but the number is increasing and it is worrying” blows Caroline Letarte Simoneau, national representative of the Alliance of Professional and Technical Staff in Health and Social Services (APTS) .
As of Friday, the hospital’s emergency room had to be closed for a few hours after it was discovered that a doctor and three patients had contracted the coronavirus.
10 times more
Since then, there are now 10 times more cases. Both the APTS and the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) reported 55 cases yesterday, following a meeting with the employer.
For its part, the CIUSSS du Center-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal was still sticking to the number of 35 infected people, including two doctors, unveiled yesterday morning.
“We have, at this time, preemptively tested all of the patients,” confirms spokesperson Jean-Nicolas Aubé. He also added that “several of the cases are asymptomatic and do not necessarily have a traceable origin at the Verdun Hospital. “
Five doctors are now on preventive withdrawal. All cases of infection have been isolated.
Worried employees
“It makes me panic,” said a member of the nursing staff, who asked not to be named. An employee of the rehabilitation department regrets that the preventive measures have been delayed, even though she has four infected colleagues.
Interim President of the FIQ in the Center-Sud, Françoise Ramel maintains that there is great concern among the staff, especially since equipment is scarce.
She praises the efficiency with which infected patients have been isolated. However, she acknowledges that nothing prevents a new outbreak with a symptomless professional.
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