The Cypress Health Region declared an outbreak on the acute care side of the Herbert & District Integrated Health Facility Sept. 21 under the guidance of Consulting Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr.
The outbreak was declared following the identification of gastro-intestinal signs and symptoms by a number of individuals at the facility’s acute and emergency department.
A total of six individuals presented with similar symptoms and samples were sent to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina. Results received Sept. 24 indicated a positive for 'norovirus'.
Visitors are restricted to the long-term care side of the facility, but anyone presenting with illness, especially gastro-like signs and symptoms, is asked to postpone visiting the facility.
The emergency department will be available to assist individuals facing true emergency situations. The Health Region requests that individuals do not present if their situation can wait for a physician clinic visit.
Community Health services will remain available to the public with emphasis on proper hand-washing prior to entering or leaving the facility.
The region’s Infection Control Team is coordinating the efforts of additional cleaning within the facility and implementing additional protocols to assist in eliminating any potential risk for further spread.
The Cypress Health Region wants to remind everyone, at every age level, that proper and frequent hand-washing for everyone is essential to the prevention of illness and disease, and it can play a significant role in reducing the risk for the entire community.
Updates to this situation will be available on the Cypress Health Region’s website at www.cypresshealth.ca.
