February 25, 2011 - Officials at the Health Unit and Dawson Court have declared an outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness on 2 South. The facility is located at 523 North Algoma Street.

Admissions, transfers and discharges have been cancelled until further notice. Relatives and friends are encouraged to call the facility for more information.

With respect to the respiratory outbreak declared on February 18 at this same facility, laboratory testing has confirmed the illness was caused by influenza A. Laboratory testing also isolated the Corona virus. The Corona virus causes respiratory disease typical of the common cold but can also cause influenza-like illness in residents of long-term care facilities.

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 coughs/sneezes with the upper sleeve if no tissue is available.

• Putting all used tissues in the garbage right away.

• Washing hands often, for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water, or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Staying at home if sick to avoid spreading infections to others.

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