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Back to SearchJanuary 20, 2022: this outbreak is now over.
January 1, 2022 - CHEO is currently experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 — our first during the pandemic. It involves two people at this time.
The word ‘outbreak’ may sound scary to some, so let us explain. CHEO’s Infection Prevention and Control program, in collaboration with Ottawa Public Health, declares an outbreak when people (patients, caregivers, staff, and medical staff) on the same unit test positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period where these infections could have reasonably been acquired on the unit.
Today, CHEO and Ottawa Public Health declared an outbreak on an inpatient medicine ward, 5E. The people affected have already been notified. So, if you have not been contacted, you are not a high risk contact related to this outbreak.
All staff and medical staff who were potentially exposed are being followed by our Occupational Safety team, which assesses risk and recommends testing and self-isolation, as necessary.
Every infection prevention and control protocol is in place at CHEO to ensure the safety of patients, families and our team. The public is encouraged to continue to come onsite for urgent or necessary reasons – especially if your doctor recommends it. Whether coming to our main campus, satellite sites or the Emergency Department, CHEO is always here for you.
Learn more about CHEO’s safety protocols.
Learn more about outbreaks from Ottawa Public Health.
About CHEO
Dedicated to the best life for every child and youth, CHEO is a global leader in pediatric health care and research. Based in Ottawa, CHEO includes a hospital, children’s treatment centre, school and research institute, with satellite services located throughout Eastern Ontario. CHEO provides excellence in complex pediatric care, research and education. We are committed to partnering with families and the community to provide exceptional care — where, when and how it’s needed. CHEO is a partner of the Kids Come First Health Team, a network of partners in Eastern Ontario working to create a high quality, standardized and coordinated system for pediatric health care that is centred around children, youth and their families. Every year, CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.