Flu hits long-term care unit
Bill 2 comes into effect in January, and MCK chiefs say it could have a negative impact on healthcare services in the community. File photo
There is an ongoing outbreak of influenza in the long-term care unit at the Kateri Memorial Hospital Center (KMHC). Visitors can still come in but are being asked to wear masks and practice hand hygiene while doing so.
Four residents in the unit have tested positive for Influenza A, with the first case confirmed back on Wednesday, March 19. The outbreak was made public with the community two days later, after two more tested positive for the virus.
“Because of the nature of long-term care and the clientele that we deal with, we usually do expect that there will be more cases once we have an outbreak, so our goal is always to try and get ahead of it, prevent any further spread and then treat the symptoms of those who aren’t well,” said Robin Guyer, director of nursing and community care at the hospital.
All of those who have tested positive for the virus are currently in stable condition, she said.
It’s not known whether it was a member of their staff or a visitor that brought in the virus.
“We have visitors coming and going at any time. We have a lot of staff,” she said. “With the flu, you usually tend to be contagious for one or two days before you’re even exhibiting symptoms. So, it could have been somebody who was carrying the flu without knowing, and that could have been anyone.”
Visitors and staff are being asked to stay away from the long-term care unit if they have any symptoms of the flu, like a sore throat or fever, at least until the outbreak is declared over.
The rest of the hospital is still operating as usual, without any restrictions, Guyer said.
The outbreak in the unit is coinciding with an increase in Influenza A infections in the region.
“We’re always kind of keeping our eye on the rates of COVID, RSV, and Influenza around us. What’s happening in all of the Monteregie is that Influenza A is spiking right now, so it’s something that we’re seeing across the board,” Guyer said.
“This is, unfortunately, a regular thing that we deal with during flu season, so our team is very well equipped to deal with it.”
The hospital often hosts vaccination clinics to encourage immunization for the flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Those vaccines can also be requested through scheduling an appointment with one of their nurses, Guyer said.
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