Sudbury's health unit is reporting high case activity along with "very high" local hospital activity for seasonal flu and COVID-19.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) is advising area residents to take precautions to protect themselves from respiratory disease and other enteric illnesses, said a news release.
Recent increases in respiratory and enteric illnesses have led to several outbreaks being declared in hospital and long-term care and retirement homes that put patients at increased risk of illness, said the release.
PHSD is also reporting high case activity and very high local hospital activity for respiratory illness, and enteric illnesses have been increasing over the winter months. said the release.
The most recent information from Health Sciences North showed there were 34 confirmed cases of COVID at the hospital.
Masking continues to the policy in most parts of the Sudbury hospital for patients as well as visitors.
People must continue to wear a mask at all times in high-risk areas which includes:
- Emergency Department
- Shirley and Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Cente
- Oncology (4 North Tower)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU, 3 Centre Tower)
- Nephrology Unit (9 North Tower)
- Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU, 3 Centre Tower)
- Cardiovascular Thoracic (3 Centre Tower)
- Cardiac Medical Unit (CMU, 5 North Tower)
Also, as of Thursday there were 13 active outbreaks of COVID, flu and enteric diseases at long-term care homes, retirement homes, the hospital and other congregate settings in Sudbury. Jonathan Groulx, a manager in the PHSD Health Protection Division, said anyone can be infected but the outcomes can be much worse for some vulnerable people.
“Respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19 and influenza, can affect all of us, but these can lead to much more severe health complications for people in hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes, and other congregate care settings,” Groulx said.
“The very young, elderly, and people with certain medical conditions are at higher risk of worse health outcomes, and each of us can take simple precautions to stop the spread of respiratory and enteric illness and keep our community safe,” Groulx added.
The advice is to take precautions such as those that were normal during the pandemic.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are clean and a handwashing basin is not available, said the health unit.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard used tissues immediately in the garbage and wash your hands, said the health unit.
- If you are at higher risk of severe outcomes from infection, consider wearing a face mask covering your nose and mouth in crowded indoor public settings.
- Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccine protects you from severe illness and hospitalization, and builds longer term protection against the virus.
- Get vaccinated for influenza, pneumococcal disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) if eligible, and stay up to date with vaccinations.
- Stay home when you are sick. If you must leave your home, for example, for testing or medical care, wear a well-fitted mask.
- Follow the guidelines of any hospitals or long-term care or retirement homes you are visiting regarding masking, handwashing, and avoid visiting residents or patients if not feeling well.
Public Health works closely with hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes, and other congregate care settings to ensure infection prevention and control measures are in place and to help control outbreaks of illness and minimize spread to people who are most vulnerable.
