The Medicine Unit at Stratford General Hospital is closed to admissions following the declaration of an Influenza A outbreak.
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) said that outbreak status refers to two or more confirmed Influenza A cases among patients that could have possibly been acquired in the hospital.
HPHA said that it is working with Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) to manage the outbreak. Patients, family, caregivers, and staff are being notified about potential exposure and the testing of hospital patients is underway.
"We know that when you have a family member or friend in the hospital that you likely want to visit them as much as possible. But if you are sick, your visit may end up doing more harm than good," Erica Jensen, the Manager of Quality, Patient Safety, and Infection Control said. "Patients in the hospital are vulnerable and are at higher risk of developing more severe illness from the flu, COVID-19, or even a simple cold."
Some visitor rules at the hospital have been modified until further notice:
patients may only have one family member, caregiver, or visitor per day
there are no in-and-out privileges
visitors are required to wear personal protective equipment including masks, eye protection, gowns, and gloves
"If you, or anyone in your household, are feeling unwell, it's important that you not visit people in the hospital until you are fully recovered," Jensen said.