#15,745
While the full threat from the UK variant B.1.1.7 remains unquantified (see UK Variant May Be Linked to Higher Mortality), nations around the globe are doing what they can to prevent - or at least slow - its spread.
Over the weekend media reports of a hospital cluster of the UK variant in Berlin began to emerge, which has led to a complete lockdown of the clinic and a quarantining of both patients and staff.
This (translated) press release from the Humboldt Clinic.
In coordination with the pandemic staff at Vivantes Humboldt-Klinikum and the hygiene officers with the actors of the Reinickendorf Health Department and the Robert Koch Institute, no new patients will be admitted to the clinic for the time being by order of the Health Department. The Vivantes Humboldt-Klinikum concentrates on the patients currently being treated there. The measure will be supported with the funds available to Vivantes, so that the virus variant B.1.1.7 identified in the Vivantes Humboldt Clinic in the last few days. does not spread and contain in Berlin.
The admission stop has been in effect since 01/22/2021, midnight. Emergencies are taken to other hospitals, new, inpatients as well as outpatients are no longer admitted. This also applies to women giving birth and visitors (with the exception of relatives of the dying). On the evening of January 22nd, 2021, the clinic management informed the staff about the upcoming measures.
The employees of the Vivantes Humboldt Klinikum are currently under shuttle quarantine between their home and the clinic. This is done in close coordination and according to the guidelines of the Robert Koch Institute. Vivantes organizes shuttle and shopping services to support around 1,700 employees in implementing the quarantine. Leasing workers will no longer be used until further notice.
Status: 24.01.2021
And here we have the (translated) press release from the Reinickendorf Health Department.
Reinickendorf health department closes Humboldt-Klinikum for new entrants
Press release No. 9608 from January 23, 2021
The Vivantes-Humboldt-Klinikum in Reinickendorf is closed because of the corona mutation B.1.1.7. been closed. This means: The hospital is now closed for the admission of new patients, for outpatient diagnostics and for outpatient interventions. The Vivantes Humboldt Clinic is concentrating on the patients currently being treated there.
The admission stop has been in effect since January 22nd at midnight. Emergencies are taken to other hospitals. Access to the clinic has been tightened, and delivery and craft services are no longer allowed.
The Reinickendorf Health Office is reacting to the increasing number of infections with the corona mutation. Routine screenings in the ward for internal medicine and cardiology have shown positive evidence in 14 patients and six employees. More infected people are expected. On Friday, the health department asked the Robert Koch Institute ( RKI ) for official assistance in order to jointly investigate the outbreak, which, according to medical officer Patrick Larscheid, has "assumed an extent that it is difficult for us to see at the moment."
Reinickendorf City Councilor for Health Uwe Brockhausen ( SPD ): “The precautionary closure of the Humboldt Clinic is a very carefully made decision. The district reached an agreement with the Senator for Health and the Vivantes Board of Directors on Saturday and everyone involved agrees that it is necessary and right in this situation. Everyone is now working flat out to advance the examinations, track contacts and contain the further spread as far as possible. ”Coronavirus is being tested accordingly in the hospital at the moment.
There have been warnings in the German press that other local hospitals could find themselves under similar circumstances in the days ahead.
Humboldt-Klinikum will initially remain under quarantine for two weeks
It cannot be ruled out that other clinics could soon be affected. Health Senator Kalayci points to resilient hospital capacities.
Anne-Kattrin Palmer, Dorothea Nitzsche , January 24th , 2021 - 5:05 pm
While this full hospital lockdown/quarantine may seem extreme, it illustrates how concerned local officials are over the spread of the this more transmissible variant. We will hopefully get more information on this event later today or tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
