A week long gastro outbreak on one of the main medical units at Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital is now over.
The hospital, in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, lifted the outbreak status on Soldiers One earlier Thursday. The outbreak was declared last Friday after 3 patients and 7 staff exhibited signs of a Norwalk-like virus.
It was originally anticipated that Saturday morning would be the earliest possible end to the outbreak, but upon further discussion with the SMDHU, it was determined that the outbreak could be declared over Thursday, as there have been no new patient-acquired cases of the Norwalk-like virus on that unit for the required five (5) day period.
Although short-lived, the outbreak led to the hospital rescheduling some surgeries and outpatient clinics to allow for redeployment of staff to care for patients in ten temporary beds that were added to alleviate the backup in the Emergency department.
Those beds will be phased out over the next 48 hours as admissions resume on Soldiers One.
