Kelsey Trail Health Region News Release – September 8, 2017
Visitor restrictions in place at Red Deer Nursing Home in Porcupine Plain were lifted yesterday by the Kelsey Trail Health Region Medical Health Officer, Dr. Mohammad Khan.
An outbreak was declared at the long term care facility on August 28th after symptoms associated with respiratory illness were reported among six residents. Symptoms included fever, chills, cough and fatigue. In total, 14 long term care residents and seven staff were impacted by the outbreak. Lab tests confirmed the cause of the outbreak as HS-1.
An outbreak is declared when a minimum of three residents, patients, clients or staff display symptoms of respiratory illness in a twenty-four hour period. As a result of the outbreak, long term care resident activities were canceled and precautions were put in place to help contain and minimize the spread of the virus.
“Visitors are asked to stay away from health care facilities when they are showing signs of illness,” stated Dr. Khan. “Visitors are also asked to exercise caution, including using hand cleanser or hand sanitizer, when entering and leaving health care facilities in an effort to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases.”
The public can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses by:
Always thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water;
Use hand sanitizer frequently, particularly if hand washing is not immediately possible;
Use a tissue or the sleeve of your clothing to cover coughs and sneezes;
Clean all surfaces thoroughly, especially taps, railings, door handles, and counters, at home and where
groups of people congregate; and
If ill, stay at home for at least 48 hours after the last symptoms to prevent spread to others.
