Influenza Outbreak at Calgary Hospital’s Oncology Unit Claims the Life of Deceased Patient

Accident – Death – Obituary News : An internal memo has been circulated among employees at a Calgary hospital, revealing the emergence of a “mixed pathogen” outbreak within a designated unit catering to cancer patients. The Peter Lougheed Centre, where the outbreak has been declared, released the notice on November 30, stating that four cases of influenza-A had been detected in patients within Unit 51, specifically the oncology unit. Concerningly, all of these cases were acquired within the hospital setting, suggesting a potential failure in infection control protocols.

To mitigate the spread of the virus, the memo mandates that all staff members working in Unit 51 must either be vaccinated against influenza or be receiving Tamiflu treatment. Additionally, workplace health and safety personnel will be contacting all workers who may have been exposed to the virus. The hospital administration acknowledges the stressful and worrisome nature of the situation for staff members and encourages them to reach out to the Workplace Health and Safety department or their unit manager for support or any related concerns.

While the memo explicitly mentions the presence of multiple pathogens causing illness among patients and staff, it does not provide any further details regarding the other viruses involved. However, a separate notice regarding COVID-19 outbreaks in Alberta’s acute care facilities indicates that there are currently 18 patients infected with the virus in connection with an outbreak declared on November 16. Additionally, four healthcare workers have also tested positive for COVID-19 within the same outbreak. Unfortunately, the document does not specify which unit is affected by this particular outbreak.

In response to these developments, CTV News has reached out to Alberta Health Services and the provincial government for additional information and clarifications on the situation at the Peter Lougheed Centre. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for the hospital administration to provide transparency and timely updates to ensure the safety and well-being of both patients and healthcare workers.

Sources:
– CTV News: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/influenza-outbreak-declared-at-calgary-hospital-1.6669531.