A respiratory outbreak has been declared in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, leading to the immediate closure of the unit to all new admissions as of May 4, 2026. The hospital is working alongside regional partners to provide care for patients who require these specialized services.
The unit is also closed to visitors, with the exception of parents and caregivers who are currently feeling well. This measure is being taken to protect one of the hospital’s most vulnerable patient groups as the facility manages the ongoing respiratory illness.
The closure impacts local families who, since September 2025, have been able to deliver babies at the hospital as early as 32 weeks gestation. This service became available following a major upgrade to the unit, which achieved a Level 2b designation and allowed the hospital to provide more advanced care for infants born weighing more than 1,500 grams. New equipment for this level of care, including specialized incubators, was funded through community support led by the STEGH Foundation.
During the current closure, the hospital is coordinating with regional partners, including the London Health Sciences Centre’s Children’s Hospital, which operates a larger Level III unit. This coordination is part of a regionalized approach to ensure that newborns continue to receive necessary medical attention while local services are restricted.
