With the number of cases of COVID-19 rising in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, Quinte Health Care is preparing for a surge in the number of patients with the virus.
There have been very few local cases requiring hospitalization so far but CEO Stacey Daub says they’ve been proactive by planning for each wave well in advance and are ready for whatever this third wave brings.
“Our teams have planned for additional capacity in the hospital if need be. We have increased all of our precautionary measures in term of personal protective equipment. So I feel really proud and confident that the team is in as best place possible.”
QHC has also increased restrictions on visitors but Daub says they are making some virtual visiting options available.
Daub notes their planning has evolved with each wave.
For instance, they are better equipped with proper PPE now than they were at the beginning of the pandemic.
“I also think that with experience comes a different level of confidence. So I feel that the teams, you know someone said it today to me – it’s another day in the hospital. It’s what we do. We are here to care for our patients and community. It happens to be COVID but this is why we’re here.”
Daub says they have not accepted any patients from outside the area due COVID yet but that may change.
“Probably most likely going to be called upon from Kingston. They have most generously been supporting other parts of the province and taking on patients with COVID. And so if we can help them by taking some of their medicine patients and giving them a bit more room to be able to help the other parts of the province, to me that’s how we work as one team.”
She adds hospitals remain some of the safest places you can be in.
Currently there is one virus-related case in a QHC ICU.
