Hamilton Health Care Worker Tests Positive for COVID-19

HAMILTON, ON – Hamilton Public Health has confirmed that a dialysis nurse at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) has tested positive for COVID-19. The nurse, who lives in Hamilton, worked their last shift on Friday, March 20 at the Charlton Campus dialysis unit.  On Thursday, March 19 the nurse also provided dialysis care at Hamilton Health Sciences’ (HHS) General Hospital. As per protocols, the nurse wore personal protective equipment including a face shield, procedure mask and gloves. This helps to protect both patients and staff from transfer of infections. The nurse did not have symptoms at work.

The nurse was at home when they began experiencing symptoms on Saturday, March 21 and was told not to return to work. The nurse was tested on Wednesday, March 25 and a positive result was confirmed that evening. The nurse is currently experiencing mild symptoms and is in self-isolation at home.

What hospitals and Hamilton Public Health Services are doing

• Hamilton Public Health is actively conducting contact tracing in collaboration with SJHH and HHS to determine who the nurse would have been in contact with. Hamilton Public Health will notify any patients who were in direct contact with the nurse.  
• Occupational Health & Safety at both SJHH and HHS is in the process of contacting all staff and physicians who have had direct contact with the nurse.
• SJHH and HHS are taking extra steps to actively screen and protect the health of our staff, patients and community, including thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the area where the nurse worked.

As of noon today, there are 43 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton. The City of Hamilton is hosting a virtual media briefing today at 3:30 pm and will be available to answer questions at that time. 

Additional Resources

• For regular City of Hamilton COVID-19 updates, please visit www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus and www.hamilton.ca/covidclosures
• Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]