Sault Area Hospital reports Influenza A outbreak at Plummer site

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT AREA HOSPITAL

*****************************
Influenza A outbreak at Plummer site

SAULT STE. MARIE - Sault Area Hospital (SAH), in conjunction with Algoma Public Health (APH), has declared an Influenza A outbreak at the Plummer site Transitional Care Unit.

To date, four cases have been confirmed and two others are pending.

SAH is has taken several steps to help patients and keep the illness from spreading, including:

• Temporarily halting the transfer of patients to the Plummer site
• Isolating/cohorting patients with symptoms
• Increased cleaning throughout the unit
• Treating patients and staff with Tamiflu
• Ongoing monitoring of other patients for symptoms

Influenza and other respiratory colds are common at this time of year and Influenza A has been circulating in the community for weeks.

Outbreaks have been declared in long term care facilities locally and in many hospitals across the country.

Although SAH has not imposed visitor restrictions at this time, it is important that individuals who may be planning to visit patients at the Plummer site use discretion to safeguard both their safety and that of the patient.

Anyone experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or cold/flu-like symptoms is strongly discouraged from visiting.

Those who do visit are urged to wash their hands often with the solution provided throughout the facility, especially before and after entering patient rooms.

All visitors are asked to check in with the nursing station upon arrival and follow any direction or requests from staff.

SAH wishes to thank the public for their understanding and cooperation.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advise of any updates.
 
*****************************