The influenza outbreak at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance continues, after immediate restrictions have been placed on the Stroke/Rehab unit.
According to hospital officials, some patients at the Chatham Campus have developed flu-like symptoms recently.
Restrictions are still in place on the Medicine Unit B and Complex Continuing Care. Visitors are asked to use the main entrance only, and to stay home if they are feeling unwell.
Anyone visiting patients who may have influenza will be required to wear a hospital-provided mask, gown, and gloves.
No children under the age of 12 are permitted in the compromised units for their own safety.
According to CEO Lori Marshall, “Because the outbreak has now been identified in the Stroke/Rehab unit, we ask the community to please take preventative measures against contacting and spreading the flu.”
Marshall says washing hands frequently in soap and warm water, coughing and sneezing into your arm and not your hands, and getting the flu shot are all ways to prevent the spread of the flu.
In a recent statement, the CKHA says that for those who develop influenza-like symptoms, they are infectious for 1-3 days before symptoms start, and will remain infectious until 5 days after the onset of symptoms.
