January 14, 2010 - Officials at the Health Unit and Dawson Court Home for the Aged, located at 523 North Algoma Street, have declared an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in two areas of the facility; both 1 North and 2 North.

All admissions, transfers, and discharges in both 1 North and 2 North have been cancelled until further notice.  Visitors to these two floors are encouraged to call the nursing station 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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