January 28, 2008 - The Health Unit reports that a facility-wide respiratory outbreak has been declared at Pinewood Court. All visitation, admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities have been cancelled. Relatives and friends may call the facility’s nursing station for more information.

In addition, Unit 2A of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is experiencing an outbreak of enteric illness. All admissions and transfers to this Unit are suspended. Visitation is allowed with appropriate precautions.  

Currently, four long term care facilities in the City are experiencing respiratory outbreaks: Versa Care, Bethammi Nursing Home, Hogarth Riverview Manor and Pinewood Court.

Respiratory illness can spread easily from person to person and can be very harmful to the elderly, children and people with chronic medical conditions. The Health Unit reminds the public to prevent the spread of respiratory illness by:

• washing hands frequently for at least 15 seconds using soap and warm water, or a hand sanitizer;
• covering coughs and sneezes by sneezing/coughing into a tissue or your shirt sleeve (NOT your hands); and
• staying at home when ill to avoid spreading infections to others.

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