Stratford General Hospital has been hit with an influenza outbreak after four patients tested positive for the flu.
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance reported the outbreak late Tuesday afternoon in the Medicine/Integrated Stroke Unit. The hospital has since closed the unit to admissions, restricted visitors to two per patient and it has put some limitations on staffing in the unit.
“With flu still prevalent in the Huron and Perth communities we’d like to remind the public there are several things that can be done to protect yourself and others from contracting influenza,” said Anne Campbell, vice president partnerships and chief nursing executive. “Get a flu shot, which is still available from your family doctor and local pharmacies; wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer; if you are not feeling well please stay home and rest; keep commonly touched surfaces clean and cough or sneeze into your sleeve.”
All patients within the unit are being offered Tamiflu prophylaxis, which counteracts influenza.
Any visitors not feeling well or experiencing flu-like symptoms should refrain from visiting until they are feeling better. Exceptions will be made on compassionate grounds or for direct family members of palliative patients.
At least one Retirement Home in Stratford is also turning visitors away and instituting additional disinfection routines because of the number of residents with influenza.