The Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) is urging a hospital in Kitchener work with their leaders after they say over 50 nurses were exposed to COVID-19.

According to a statement from the union, multiple nurses were exposed at St. Mary’s Hospital while caring for someone in the emergency department who was screened for influenza, but not the coronavirus.

The nurses reportedly performed medical procedures that made the virus air-borne and the patient was not isolated. Further, ONA President Vicki McKenna says the nurses were unable to access N-95 masks while they worked because “their employer strongly discourages nurses wearing them.”

McKenna adds more nurses were also exposed to COVID-19 by a co-worker, and several nurses have since become sick.

The union is calling on the hospital to work with them to fast-track testing for nurses and other healthcare workers, ensure patients are properly screened, and make sure protective equipment is available.

The hospital’s president says the ONA’s statement is not “entirely accurate.”

In a statement, St. Mary’s President Lee Fairclough confirmed that over 50 staff, including nurses were potentially exposed.

The hospital has since conducted “extensive investigation and follow up” with them and six staff members who showed symptoms were referred to public health for fast tracked testing. Those who did not show symptoms were not tested, as per provincial guidelines.

Fairclough also says they have appropriate measure sand procedures in place with respect to COVID-19, which include personal protective equipment and access to it. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Labour during a field visit to the hospital on March 12.

“The Ministry was satisfied with our preparedness,” for infection prevention and control, she adds.

Fairclough also acknowledged that the hospital received a call from the Ministry of Labour on Friday following an ONA complaint.

She says they immediately acknowledged the concern and have been working with the union to address any concerns.

“It is an understandable time of worry for all involved, particularly health care workers, and our approach has been to communicate, support their training as needed, and ensure we’ve got the right policies and practices in place for their safety. This will continue as we work through concerns and during this trying time with COVID-19,” she said.