Hospitals review lifting visitor restrictions

Flu-related visitor restrictions at Sault Area Hospitals may be lifted as early as Friday.

Meanwhile, the Tendercare nursing home in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has closed its doors to visitors because of a number of cases of upper-respiratory illness there.

At Sault General and Plummer hospitals, an increase in influenza cases prompted officials to ask nine days ago that anyone with flu-like symptoms, or who's been exposed to such symptoms, refrain from visiting.

Children were also restricted from visiting until further notice. Today, SooToday.com was advised that the situation is being reviewed and the restrictions could be lifted as early as tomorrow.

Earlier, hospital spokesman Brady Irwin said that the access restrictions would continue for eight days from the date of diagnosis of the last case of Influenza A.

Patients experiencing flu-like symptoms needing medical attention are asked to see their doctor or come to the hospital’s emergency department.

New problems in Soo, Michigan

Tonight's edition of the Sault Evening News reports that the temporary ban on visitors at Tendercare nursing home results from some "relatively mild" cases upper respiratory illness there.

"We've just got colds....People are up and about, coughing and sniffling," Gail Lajoie, nursing director, told the Evening News.

"The patients are doing well....We're just asking the community not to come in and spread it," Lajoie said.

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