Simcoe Muskoka’s Medical Officer of Health issued a declaration of widespread influenza activity in the region Monday.
The declaration comes after assessing the flu activity in the community, a process that looks at emergency department visits, lab-confirmed cases of influenza, institutional outbreaks and physician reports of fever and influenza-like illness.
The formal declaration, which includes informing the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Public Health Ontario of the local situation, serves to communicate to health care partners the need to enact policies and strategies to control the further spread of influenza, particularly within health care facilities, said Dr. Charles Gardner.
In response, The Collingwood General and Marine Hospital announced Tuesday it has implemented precautionary measures.
The hospital is not experiencing an outbreak but visitors will notice an increased number of staffers wearing masks.
Volunteers at the front desk and in the emergency department will be asking all patients and visitors entering the hospital to wear a mask for their protection, along with the protection of our admitted patients and staff.
Vigilant hand washing is also strongly encouraged. General visiting hours are from 1 to 8 p.m., with no more than two visitors per patient at any one time. Due to the need to mask for protection, children under 12 years of age are also discouraged from visiting the hospital at this time.
Anyone experiencing flu like symptoms is asked to refrain from visiting hospital patients.
The hospital, like all large emergency departments in the province, saw an increase in visits during the holidays between clinics and doctors office closures. Despite preparing for increased volumes, the hospital is still experiencing longer than normal wait times.
Anyone arriving at the hospital exhibiting flu-like symptoms, which include sudden onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle and joint pain and headache, will be isolated from other patients, whenever possible.
Dr. Mark Quigg, a family physician with the South Georgian Bay Family Health Team, reminds residents that the treatment for influenza is to drink plenty of fluids, bed rest and medications for fever, although the flu can be quite serious for infants, those over 65 years of age and people with serious medical conditions.
“Most area residents who get the flu will be able to manage their symptoms at home, but some may need help from a healthcare provider. In most cases family physicians are well equipped to care for patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms out in the community,” said Quigg. “However, influenza can be quite serious for some people – especially infants and seniors. If you or a family member experience marked shortness of breath when at rest, or high fever for five days or any other symptoms you are concerned about, you should seek medical attention.”
Members of the community are reminded to protect themselves against the influenza virus by getting a flu shot at a local pharmacy or doctor’s office.
A complete list of flu shot clinics in Simcoe County is available on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Units website at www.smdhu.org.
With widespread influenza now in the community, the general public should protect themselves against influenza using the following measures:
- being vaccinated annually against the flu. While this year’s vaccine is a less than ideal match to the circulating H3N2 flu strain, it may still provide some cross protection, and continues to offer protection against other influenza viruses such as influenza B.
- frequent hand washing.
- staying home and avoiding contact with other people when ill.
- call your doctor or health care provider if you don’t start to feel better after a few days, your symptoms get worse or you have an existing medical conditions and develop flu symptoms.
- call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 to talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.