January 22, 2009 - The gastrointestinal illness outbreak at Pinewood Court on Walsh Street East is now declared over. Visitation, admissions, transfers and discharges have resumed at the facility.

However, to prevent further outbreaks, the Health Unit and facility management request that those who have been ill, or who are not feeling well, wait at least 48 hours after recovering from illness before visiting the facility.

Due to an increase in gastrointestinal illness in Thunder Bay and District, the Health Unit is urging people to stay at home and refrain from visiting hospitals and long-term care facilities when feeling unwell to avoid spreading infections to those most vulnerable: young infants and children, the elderly and those with other chronic illnesses. Individuals are contagious during the active part of the illness (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) as well as up to several days after symptoms are gone.

The Health Unit reminds you to prevent getting and spreading infections by:

• washing your hands frequently, for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water, or by using a hand sanitizer.
• staying at home if you are ill to avoid spreading infections to others.

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