March 4, 2010 - Officials at the Health Unit and Bethammi Nursing Home, located at 63 Carrie Street, have declared a facility wide outbreak of gastrointestinal illness.

Admissions, discharges and transfers will be reviewed on a case by case basis.  Non-essential activities have been cancelled until further notice.  Visitors are limited to family members and caregivers of residents.  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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