Two Prince Albert long-term care units have implemented visitor restrictions after outbreaks of two different illnesses.
The Herb Bassett Home’s Lakeland Trail long-term care unit declared a norovirus outbreak on Thursday after five residents came down with a gastrointestinal illness. Samples have been sent for testing and there have been positive results for norovirus.
The norovirus family, which includes Norwalk, is a common cause of vomiting and diarrhea illnesses often referred to as stomach flu. The virus group causes viral gastroenteritis predominantly during the winter in temperate climates.
Meanwhile, the Prince Albert Parkland Health is retaining visitor restrictions at Parkland Terrace long-term care facility following an outbreak of a respiratory illness that affected nine residents at its peak.
Currently only four Parkland Terrace residents remain ill. Laboratory testing has determined that an entero-rhinovirus is the organism that caused the illness, which precludes its prevention via vaccine.
When visitor restrictions are in place, ill or sick visitors are asked to avoid all long-term care facilities, while staff members take special precautions. All visitors are asked to perform hand hygiene when entering and leaving facilities to reduce the spread of disease.
