October 1, 2010 - Officials at the Health Unit and both care homes have declared respiratory outbreaks over in certain areas of each facility.

At Dawson Court, the outbreak in patient care areas 1 South and 2 North have been declared over.  However, outbreak restrictions are still in place for patient area 2 South.  The facility is located at 523 North Algoma Street.

At Pioneer Ridge, located at 750 Tungsten Street, the Plaza 1 outbreak has been declared over but outbreak restrictions are still in place for Plaza 3.

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:

• covering your cough/sneeze with a tissue; if you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your upper sleeve.
• putting all used tissues in the garbage right away.
• washing your hands frequently, for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water, or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• staying at home if you are ill to avoid spreading infections to others.

-END-