May 4, 2009  - Officials at the Health Unit and the Bethammi Nursing Home have declared a facility wide outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness.

Admissions, transfers and discharges for the facility are cancelled until further notice. Visitor restrictions are also in place, so relatives and friends are encouraged to call the facility for more information.

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.

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

• washing their hands often, for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water, or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• staying at home if they are ill to avoid spreading infections to others.

-END-