Soo hospitals extend visitor restrictions

Sault Area Hospitals (SAH) announced today that flu-related visitor restrictions will remain in effect.

The decision was reached in consultation with Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Allan Northan.

"These restrictions are in place at both the General and Plummer Hospitals sites and will continue until further notice," hospital spokesman Brady Irwin said in a written statement.

"Despite this extension, the number of patients diagnosed with Influenza A has decreased.

"SAH appreciates the community cooperation it has received to date. Reduced visitor numbers are helping to minimize the risk of infection to patients, staff and visitors.

"SAH continues to request that anyone with flu-like symptoms or who has been exposed to people with flu-like symptoms refrain from visiting the hospital. Hospital visits by children also continue to be prohibited.

"Patient families are also encouraged to limit visits by family members that do not receive annual influenza immunization. Further, all visitors are asked to limit their visits to a single patient and to follow instructions from nursing staff on how to control the spread of infection to both patients and visitors.

"Visitor access restrictions will continue for eight days from the date of diagnosis of the last case of Influenza A."

The restrictions on visitors to SAH first went into effect on March 5.

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