30 paramedics test positive after private gathering, nearly 100 patients considered close contacts

Dozens of Ottawa paramedics who attended a private gathering together have tested positive for COVID-19 and nearly 100 patients have been identified as close contacts.

In a memo sent to city council on Tuesday evening, Pierre Poirier, the chief of the Ottawa Paramedic Service, said there were 30 known cases of COVID-19 within the service.

Staff were exposed to the virus at an off-duty social gathering on Dec. 15, Poirier wrote in the memo.

“Following the private gathering,” Poirier wrote, “a member of the Ottawa Paramedic Service developed COVID-19 symptoms and subsequently tested positive for the virus on Saturday, Dec. 18. As the gathering took place in the 48 hours prior to the individual developing symptoms, all staff members who were in attendance were directed to be tested for COVID-19.”

Between the time of that initial positive result and the testing of all staff members who had been exposed to the virus, many of the paramedics continued to work. At least 93 patients have been identified as close contacts to paramedics who were asymptomatic at the time and had not yet received positive COVID-19 results, Poirier told city council.

“As members of our service follow strict infection control and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols, the risk of exposure is considered low to moderate,” he wrote.

Poirier said that, for now, service levels would not be impacted by the positive test results.

“The Ottawa Paramedic Service has instituted enhanced infection control measures and is working closely with Ottawa Public Health and partners,” he wrote. “However, we continue to closely monitor operations as the situation evolves and will institute further contingency plans if required. Ottawa Public Health has also confirmed that all individuals who were at the establishment, and all high-risk contacts, have been reached.”

Poirier also wrote that he would continue to provide the council with updates on the situation.