COVID-19 Outbreaks declared at Norfolk General Hospital’s 3B and 3E Units

Tuesday, August 2, 2022 -COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared on the 3E Medical and 3B Medical/Surgical units at Norfolk General Hospital (NGH) after several patients on each unit tested positive for COVID-19.

As of this morning, seven patients on 3E and five patients on 3B have been linked to positive transmission within the hospital.

NGH has implemented comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) precautions, such as enhanced cleaning as well as contact tracing, to protect the health of patients and staff. COVID-positive patients are being isolated to their rooms, and inpatients are being monitored closely for COVID-19 symptoms.

Due to increased COVID-19 cases in the community and within the organization, visitors are no longer permitted to enter the hospital, except for Essential Care Providers (ECPs) in consultation with the patient’s care team.

To ensure patients have the support they need, patients will be allowed two designated ECPs; however, only one ECP will be allowed at a time.

These temporary measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of our patients, staff, physicians, and the community.

We understand it is difficult for families and friends to be separated from their loved ones during this period. We encourage people to use technology to connect with our patients.

Please be respectful to our frontline teams when discussing visitor restrictions.

We want to reassure the public that NGH is working diligently to control and contain this outbreak and using our expertise and resources as efficiently as possible.