September 27, 2010 - Officials at the Health Unit and St. Joseph’s Care Group have declared a facility-wide outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness at Bethammi Nursing Home in St. Joseph's Heritage on Carrie Street.

Admissions, transfers and discharges have been cancelled until further notice.  Visitor restrictions are also in place, so please 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 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.

-END-