Deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Health Sciences Centre traced to 1 unvaccinated patient: Manitoba Shared Health

A single unvaccinated patient is being blamed for a COVID-19 outbreak at Winnipeg's largest hospital that has led to 21 additional infections and one death.

The initial case was discovered duringroutine COVID-19 testing before the patient's operation earlier this month, according to a spokesperson for Shared Health, the organization that oversees Manitoba's health-care system.

The outbreak, on the GD2surgery unit at the Health Sciences Centre, was declared on Nov. 4. It later led to a second, unrelated outbreak being discoveredNov. 8in the GD4 medical unit, the spokesperson said in a statement emailed to CBC on Nov. 12.

Since that first case, 16 morepatients and ninestaff all fully vaccinated have contracted breakthrough COVID-19 infections in the two outbreaks, the spokesperson said.

Two patients on the surgery unit (GD2) were admitted to the intensive care unit, one of whomdied. Theother has recovered enough to be returned to a medical unit.

The patient who died wasa manin his 70s from the Prairie Mountain Health region, according to a news release from the province on Monday.

"The GD2 outbreak underscores the adverse impact that one patient who chooses to be unvaccinated can have on the health-care system," the Shared Health spokesperson said.

"Also notable is that many of the patients on GD2 who tested positive remain symptomatic and unwell their stays in hospital extended far longer than they would have been if not for acquiring the virus."

The outbreaks caused a significant chain reaction that has impacted staff and patients. For instance, infected staff were required to self-isolate until they recovered, resulting in some staffing challenges.

Some have since returned to work, but others remain symptomatic and are continuing to isolate.

Sixty staff in total have were tested for the COVID-19 as a result of the two outbreaks, which havealso resulted inone surgical unit being down 10 beds.

As well, seven surgeries have been postponed due to a shortage of beds and/or staff, according to Shared Health.

The outbreak in the medical unit (GD4)was discoveredafter a patient was transferred from the surgery unit. That initialoutbreak on GD2 hadn't yet been detected, the spokesperson said.

As soon as the initial outbreak on GD2 was identified, testingwas conducted on the medicalunit. The patient who was transferred did not test positive but someone else did.

That person's case led to a total of three patients and one staff member linked to GD4 testing positive for COVID. One of those patients is currentlyin ICU.

"Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19but they do not provide 100 per cent immunity and work best when herd immunity is achieved," the spokesperson said.

All Manitobans who have not been vaccinated are urged to do so as quickly as possible, the spokesperson said.

"We are also encouraging all vaccinated Manitobans over the age of 18 including health-care workers to get their third dose if it has been at least six months since they received their second shot.