February 2, 2010 - Officials at the Health Unit and the Geraldton District Hospital have declared an outbreak of respiratory illness.  The outbreak is confined to the acute care unit only.

Visitors are allowed only for palliative care patients.  Please call the facility for further 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, children, the elderly and those with other chronic illnesses.

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

• washing hands often for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water, or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the upper sleeve.
• staying at home when ill to avoid spreading infections to others.

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