Work is underway to explore options for a field hospital in Chatham-Kent in case there is an overflow of patients at the hospitals during an expected COVID-19 surge.
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance CEO Lori Marshall told the public during a municipal Facebook live question and answer session on Friday that the exploratory work is in its initial stages to determine if there are suitable spots for a field hospital in the area.
Marshall also said there will be 46 extra hospital beds starting on Monday that were made available by working with other health care officials to move patients either back home or to other facilities.
Marshall added the Chatham and Wallaceburg hospitals are now at 55 per cent occupancy and are ready for the wave if and when it comes. She said the hospitals were at 100 per cent occupancy just three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, two more people in Chatham-Kent have tested positive for COVID-19. Chatham-Kent Public Health reported on Friday afternoon a woman in her 30s was confirmed positive. Health officials are investigating if the woman caught the virus through travel, close contact, or community spread. Community Living Wallaceburg reported late Friday afternoon that a 39-year-old female employee has tested positive for COVID-19 and another worker is presumed to be positive. Executive Director Deborah Hooker said the employees are in isolation for 14 days and the news was shared with clients, their families, and agency staff. Then Friday night, Chatham-Kent Public Health reported a woman in her 60s tested positive for the virus and how she transmitted it is unknown. The total number of confirmed cases in Chatham-Kent is now 11.
The municipality's Chief Administrative Officer is also clearing the record about library employees working at Riverview Gardens long term care home in Chatham. Don Shropshire said they are not directly involved with patient care and have been properly trained to do things such as ask screening questions. He added part time long term care employees have also accepted full time positions during the crisis while others were recruited to work during the pandemic.
Shropshire said visitors at Riverview Gardens have also been restricted and only end of life patients are getting visits to slow the spread of the virus and to keep the patients safe.
