Tag Archives: Outbreak

Alert, Featured

Outbreak Rescinded – Wolf Willow Health Centre – Eastend

Update: September 29 at 11:50am

Please be advised that the outbreak at the Wolf Willow Health Centre in Eastend has been rescinded and visitation at the facility may now resume.

We would like to thank the general public for adhering to the visitation restrictions during the outbreak.  Thanks is also extended to staff and public health/inspection control teams for their diligence in working to rescind the outbreak as quickly as possible.

While visitation has now resumed, enteric and other illnesses continue to circulate in our communities.  Frequent and proper handwashing are very important to eliminate the spreading of illnesses.  In particular we ask anyone visiting a health facility to please wash your hands thoroughly prior to leaving your home and wash your hands again upon entering the facility.  If you are feeling ill, please stay home until you are feeling well.

Update: September 27 at 9:30am

The outbreak continues.  There are currently three residents with signs and symptoms of the illness.  The specific illness type remains unknown.  Visitation restrictions continue to be in place. See original post below for complete details.

Original post: September 25 at 4:30pm

Under the guidance of Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr, an outbreak has been declared at the Wolf Willow Health Centre in Eastend due to the presence of enteric illness signs and symptoms amongst the facilities residents.

Gastroenteritis (enteric illness) means inflammation of the stomach and both small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that result in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the “stomach flu”, although the influenza viruses do not cause gastroenteritis.

Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses and enteroviruses.

Read more about Viral Gastroenteritis.

Due to this declaration, please consider the following:

  • Until further notice, visitation to the facility will be restricted.  The only exceptions to these restrictions will be in the event of an ‘end of life’ situation, where the nurse in charge at the facility can be contacted to discuss the options that are available for family members to visit their loved one.
  • This outbreak has been declared due to the presence of an unconfirmed enteric illness.  Samples will be collected and sent to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina for analysis and confirmation of the illness type.
  • Presently, there are four long term care residents within the facility who have been identified as meeting the signs and symptoms of this illness.
  • Enhanced cleaning and infection control protocols have been implemented within the facility in an attempt to remove the illness.

Public Health and Infection Control Team members are actively involved and are providing guidance into the ongoing steps being taken to eradicate the illness.  The health region is strongly emphasizing that everyone do what they can to prevent the spread of illness/sickness to others.  Frequent and proper handwashing, staying home when ill, and enhanced cleaning of hard surfaces within your homes/businesses should always be the normal practice.

Read more about outbreaks and why they are declared.

Featured, News Release

STOP! Clean Your Hands Day

Ask yourself…how you are stopping the spread of germs?

 If your hands could talk they may explain that even though they appear clean, they in fact carry many germs and pathogens. Washing your hands correctly with soap and warm water virtually eradicates the spreading of germs, a fact highlighted during Stop! Clean Your Hands Day held on May 5 each year.

When performed correctly, hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and infections. Building hand hygiene into simple routines helps keep yourself healthy and prevents the spreading of germs to others.

In healthcare, hand hygiene is used to eliminate transient germs that have been picked up via contact with patients, contaminated equipment, or the environment. Healthcare associated infections affect more than 220,000 people in Canada every year and are estimated to kill between 8,000 and 12,000 Canadians.

Robin Howden, the Cypress Health Region’s Infection Control Practitioner, further explains the importance of hand hygiene.

“Nearly 50 percent of deaths caused by healthcare associated infections could be prevented by the use of proper hand hygiene techniques.  Handwashing is important for everyone in all environments, including healthcare professionals,” she noted.  “Handwashing is often abbreviated to save time or is overlooked completely.  This has negative impacts on the health of everyone. We encourage individuals to be diligent with their personal hand hygiene.”

Although hand washing may seem like a simple task it is often overlooked. Hand hygiene may be performed by using soap and running water or with alcohol-based hand rubs.

To properly wash your hands with soap and warm water follow these crucial steps:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are useful when soap and water are not available or if your hands are not visibly soiled.
  • Remove any hand/arm jewellery you are wearing and wet hands with warm water.
  • Add soap and rub your hands together, ensuring you have lathered all surfaces for at least 15 seconds. How long is 15 seconds? The length of time it takes to singHappy Birthday.
  • Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
  • Rinse your hands well under warm running water, using a rubbing motion.
  • Wipe and dry your hands gently with a paper towel or a clean towel.
  • Turn off the tap using the paper towel so that you do not re-contaminate your hands

Remember, your safety is in your hands – wash them!

Alert, Featured

Outbreaks in Herbert and Shaunavon Rescinded, Visitation Resumes

Update: February 16 at 9:40am

The outbreak at the Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre has been rescinded and visitation at the facility may now resume.  The outbreak previously declared at the Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility has also been declared over.

While visitation at both facilities has now resumed, illnesses continue to circulate in many communities.  Anyone who is feeling ill or has signs and symptoms of an illness is asked to refrain from visiting a health facility unless to seek medical attention.  Please only visit if you are symptom free.  As well, infection control measures should continue to be practiced in homes and businesses. Frequent and proper handwashing are very important to eliminate the spreading of illnesses as well as coughing/sneezing into a tissue, sleeve, or crook of your elbow, staying home when ill, and frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces.

The Region thanks the general public for adhering to the visitation restrictions during the outbreak.  Thanks is also extended to staff and public health/inspection control teams for their diligence in working to rescind the outbreak as quickly as possible.

Update: February 13 at 10:25am

Dr. David Torr, Medical Health Officer, has rescinded the respiratory outbreak of coronavirus oc43 that has been in place at the Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility.  The outbreak in Herbert was originally declared on February 7.

Visitation at the Herbert facility is no longer restricted.  Anyone experiencing signs and symptoms of an illness currently or within the last seven days is asked to refrain from visiting the facility unless to seek medical attention. It is important to continue to minimize the spread of illness into and out of the facility.

The respiratory illness outbreak in Shaunavon remains in place with two residents currently showing signs and symptoms.  Lab results are still pending to determine the illness type that is being experienced in the long term care side of the Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre.  Visiting restrictions remain in place and are limited to end of life situations only where special arrangements may be made with facility staff.

Good and thorough infection control practices should remain in place in all communities.  This includes frequent hand washing, staying home when ill, regularly cleaning commonly touched surfaces in the home and workplace, and sneezing/cough into a tissue, sleeve, or the crook of your elbow.

Update: February 9 at 4:50pm

The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory has confirmed that the virus circulating within the Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility is coronavirus OC43.

Coronaviruses are common viruses that most people get some time in their lives.  They usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses.

There are several different groupings of coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).  Coronavirus OC43 is not the same as SARS or MERS.  Coronavirus OC43 is common around the world with symptoms including runny nose, cough, sore throat, and fever.

To read more about coronaviruses please visit the Centres for Disease Control website.

The illness type circulating in Shaunavon remains unknown.

Update: February 9 at 2:40pm

The Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre has been placed under outbreak status due to the presence of respiratory illness amongst several of the facilities long term care residents.  The Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility also remains under outbreak status.

Visitation restrictions have been put in place during these outbreaks to minimize illness being brought into or carried out of the facilities. Until further notice visitation is restricted to an end of life situation where the facility should be contacted to discussion the options available for family members to visit their loved one.

Please note that the outbreaks in Herbert and Shaunavon affect long-term care services only; acute and emergency services remain available at both facilities.

Respiratory viruses are contagious.  They are easily spread by coughing, sneezing, and direct contact through nasal and throat secretions.  Symptoms include fever and chills, cough, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and a runny or stuffy nose.

Immunization is an important step to protect yourself and those around you. In addition to immunization other measures to protect yourself include proper hand hygiene with warm water and soap, staying home when ill unless seeking medical attention, coughing and sneezing into your sleeve or the crook of your elbow, and frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces.  Parents with young children should wash their hands thoroughly before and after changing a diaper.  Hand sanitizers should not be used as a complete replacement for proper hand hygiene.

Read more information in the respiratory illness outbreak news release.

Original message: February 7 at 4:20pm

Under the guidance of Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr, an outbreak has been declared at the Herbert and District Integrated Health Facility due to the presence of signs and symptoms of an unknown respiratory illness amongst the facility’s long term care residents.

This outbreak affects the long-term care side of the facility only.  All acute/emergency services are still available at the facility.

Due to this declaration, please consider the following:

  • Until further notice, visitation to the facility will be restricted.  The only exceptions to these restrictions will be in the event of an ‘end of life’ situation, where the nurse in charge at the facility can be contacted to discuss the options that are available for the family members to visit their loved one.
  • Outbreak has been declared due to the presence of an unconfirmed respiratory illness.  Samples are being forwarded to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina for analysis and confirmation of the illness type.
  • Presently, there are 5 long term care residents within the facility who have been identified as meeting the signs and symptoms of this illness.
  • Enhanced cleaning and infection control protocols have been implemented within the facility in an attempt to remove the illness.

Public Health and Infection Control Team members are actively involved and are providing guidance into the ongoing steps being taken to eradicate the illness.  The Health Region is strongly emphasizing that individuals in all communities do what they can to prevent the spread of illness/sickness to others.  Frequent and proper handwashing, staying home when ill, and enhanced cleaning of hard surfaces within your homes/businesses should always be the normal practice.

Respiratory infections are infections of the respiratory tract, including upper (head and chest) and lower (lungs).  Symptoms of respiratory illnesses include congestion, cough, runny nose, sore throat, facial pressure, sneezing, watery eyes, ear congestion, fatigues, headache, shortness of breath, malaise, and high fever. Symptoms usually begin 1-3 days after exposure and usually end within 7-10 days of onset. Read more about Respiratory Illnesses.

Updates and additional information regarding this outbreak will be posted as they become available.

Featured, News Release

Respiratory Illnesses Circulating in Several Communities

There is a noted increase in respiratory activity in the Cypress Health Region, including influenza.  The general public is being reminded to take precautions and implement safeguards to protect themselves and those around them.

The Herbert and District Integrated Healthcare Facility and Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre have both been placed under outbreak status due to the presence of respiratory illnesses.  Optimal infection control precautions are in place at both facilities as the Region awaits lab results to determine further measures that may be necessary.  Visitation restrictions have been put in place during these outbreaks to minimize illness being brought into or carried out of the facility. The outbreaks in Herbert and Shaunavon affect long-term care services only; acute and emergency services remain available at both facilities.

“We are seeing notable respiratory activity in our communities, from influenza and other viruses, and are implementing measures to minimize spread of these illnesses in our facilities.  We ask that the public take similar steps in their homes and businesses including frequent and thorough hand hygiene, coughing into your sleeve or tissue, regular cleaning of surfaces that are commonly handled and easily contaminated, and staying home when ill unless seeking medical attention,” commented Dr. David Torr, Medical Health Officer for Cypress Health.  “Some respiratory illnesses can be quite severe, especially in those who are most vulnerable.  While these illnesses may be seen as minor in the eyes of some, they can actually be quite harmful and even deadly to other members of the community.”

Respiratory viruses are contagious.  They are easily spread by coughing, sneezing, and direct contact through nasal and throat secretions.  Symptoms include fever and chills, cough, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and a runny or stuffy nose.

Immunization is an important step to protect yourself and those around you.

“This year’s flu vaccine is well matched to the circulating strains of influenza.  The number of individuals who have received their vaccine is less than it has been in past years.  This puts the broader public at greater risk and we once again urge those who have not yet received their influenza immunization to do so as soon as they can,” Dr. Torr added.

Individuals can receive a flu vaccine by calling Public Health at 1-866-786-2510 or by attending a drop-in clinic in Swift Current. Drop-in dates and details are posted at on the events page.

In addition to immunization other measures to protect yourself include proper hand hygiene with warm water and soap, staying home when ill unless seeking medical attention, coughing and sneezing into your sleeve or the crook of your elbow, and frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces.  Parents with young children should wash their hands thoroughly before and after changing a diaper.  Hand sanitizers should not be used as a complete replacement for proper hand hygiene.

Featured, News Release

Outbreak Rescinded at Palliser Regional Care Centre and Cypress Regional Hospital

Updated May 6th at 11:00am

The outbreak of norovirus at the Cypress Regional Hospital (Med/Surg Unit #2 only) has been rescinded.  Visitation at the facility has resumed.

The Palliser Regional Care Centre’s outbreak was rescinded on May 5,  meaning there are presently no facilities within the Cypress Health Region currently under an outbreak status.

Norovirus and other illnesses continue to circulate in our communities.  Frequent and proper handwashing are very important to reduce the spreading of illnesses.  As we head into Mother’s Day weekend, a time filled with many friendly visits and exchanges, diligence with hand hygiene and infection control measures is strongly encouraged. In particular, the health region asks anyone visiting a health facility to please wash your hands thoroughly prior to leaving your home and wash your hands again upon entering any healthcare facility.  If you are feeling ill, please stay home. Other precautions include frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces and coughing/sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your elbow.

Updated May 5th at 3:10pm

Please be advised that the outbreak due to lab confirmed norovirus at the Palliser Regional Care Centre (PRCC) has been rescinded and visitation at the facility has resumed.

The outbreak on Med/Surg Unit #2 (west) at the Cypress Regional Hospital, also due to lab confirmed norovirus, remains in place.  The number of cases at the Regional Hospital are on the decline.  A total of three patients are currently exhibiting signs and symptoms. Visitation remains restricted on this unit of the Regional Hospital only.

While visitation at the PRCC has now resumed, norovirus and other illnesses continue to circulate in our communities.  Frequent and proper handwashing are very important to reduce the spreading of illnesses.  As we head into Mother’s Day weekend, a time filled with many friendly visits and exchanges, diligence with hand hygiene and infection control measures is strongly encouraged. In particular, the health region asks anyone visiting a health facility to please wash your hands thoroughly prior to leaving your home and wash your hands again upon entering any healthcare facility.  If you are feeling ill, please stay home. Other precautions include frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces and coughing/sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your elbow.

Updated May 3rd at 3:00pm

The outbreaks at the Palliser Regional Care Centre and Cypress Regional Hospital (Med/Surg Unit #2 west only) are still in effect.  The outbreak at the Palliser Regional Care Centre is improving with two residents now having signs and symptoms.  Please be advised that the outbreak at the Cypress Regional Hospital has been confirmed by the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory (SDCL) as norovirus.  Visitation continues to be restricted at both facilities.

The Health Region is continuing to work to eradicate the illnesses from the facilities.  Updates will continue to be provided on the outbreaks at these two facilities as they become available.

Updated May 2nd at 3:00pm

The outbreaks at the Palliser Regional Care Centre and Cypress Regional Hospital (Med/Surg Unit #2 west only) are still in effect.  Visitation continues to be restricted.  Full details on the outbreaks are listed below.  More information will be posted to this page as it becomes available.

Updated April 28th at 2:00pm

There are presently 13 residents with signs and symptoms of the illness. Enhanced infection control measures continue to be in place at the facility and visitation remains restricted.

In addition to the outbreak at the Palliser Regional Care Centre, Dr. David Torr, Medical Health Officer, has declared a gastrointestinal illness outbreak on the Med/Surg Unit #2 (west) at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current.  A total of four inpatients are currently exhibiting signs and symptoms of enteric illness.  Samples are being collected and sent to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory for confirmation of the illness type.  As a result of the Regional Hospital’s outbreak, visitation is restricted on Med/Surg Unit #2 only. This unit has been isolated from other areas of the Hospital to avoid the illness spreading into other health units within the facility.  In special circumstances immediate family members may be permitted to visit their loved ones but must follow infection control protocols as advised by staff.

There is a noted increase in community gastrointestinal illness of late as evidenced by calls to the health region, physician offices, and emergency room visits. As such the Cypress Health Region is advising the public to please exercise proper hand hygiene.  Hand hygiene is critical to reducing the spread of norovirus and other illnesses. Wash your hands carefully and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the washroom, touching surfaces, shaking hands, changing a child’s diaper, and before eating, preparing, or handling food. Hand sanitizers should not be used as a complete replacement for proper hand hygiene. Rather, hand sanitizers should only be used when soap and water are not readily available.

Additional precautions to prevent the spreading of germs and illnesses include staying home when ill, avoiding visiting healthcare facilities when feeling ill (aside from seeking medical attention), and frequent cleaning of commonly touched surfaces.

Updates will continue to be provided on the outbreaks at these two facilities as they become available.

If you’d like more information on norovirus visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.

Original Post April 25th

Under the guidance of Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr, an outbreak has been declared at the Palliser Regional Care Centre due to the presence of an unconfirmed enteric illness with signs and symptoms being experienced by eight of the facility’s long term care residents.

Due to this declaration, please consider the following:

  • Until further notice, visitation to the facility will be restricted.  The only exceptions to these restrictions will be in the event of an ‘end of life’ situation, where the nurse in charge at the facility can be contacted to discuss the options that are available for the family members to visit their loved one.
  • Outbreak has been declared due to the presence of an unconfirmed enteric illness.  Samples are being forwarded to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina for analysis and confirmation of the illness type.
  • Presently, there are eight long term care residents within the facility who have been identified as meeting the signs and symptoms of this illness.
  • Enhanced cleaning and infection control protocols have been implemented within the facility in an attempt to remove the illness.

Public Health and Infection Control Team members are actively involved and are providing guidance into the ongoing steps being taken to eradicate the illness.  The health region is strongly emphasizing that everyone do what they can to prevent the spread of illness/sickness to others.  Frequent and proper handwashing, staying home when ill, and enhanced cleaning of hard surfaces within your homes/businesses should always be the normal practice.

Additional information will be provided on this webpage as it becomes available.

Alert

Norovirus Outbreak Declared Over – Visitation Resumes at Swift Current Care Centre

Update: February 10 at 11:00am

Please be advised that the outbreak at the Swift Current Care Centre has been rescinded and visitation at the facility may now resume.

The health region would like to thank the general public for adhering to the visitation restrictions during the outbreak.  Thanks is also extended to the staff and public health/inspection control teams for their diligence in working to rescind the outbreak as quickly as possible.

While visitation has now resumed, Norovirus and other illnesses continue to circulate in our communities.  Frequent and proper handwashing are very important to eliminate the spreading of illnesses.  In particular, the health region asks anyone visiting a health facility to please wash your hands thoroughly prior to leaving your home and wash your hands again upon entering the facility.  If you are feeling ill, please stay home until you are feeling well.

Update – February 2, 2016 at 3:10pm

Results from the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina have identified and confirmed Norovirus to be the causation of an outbreak at the Swift Current Care Centre.  The outbreak remains in effect.

Noroviruses are very contagious and can easily spread from person to person.  Proper handwashing is critical to the reduction of spreading of noroviruses.  With confirmed norovirus cases in the Cypress Health Region, the public is asked to frequently and properly wash their hands.  This includes using warm, soapy water for a minimum of 30 seconds.  Hand sanitizers are not a replacement for proper handwashing and should be used only if access to handwashing supplies is not available.

Individuals can become infected with a norovirus in several ways, such as through direct contact with another person who is infected, by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus, or eating food and drinking water that has been contaminated.

There are presently 4 residents at the Swift Current Care Centre who are experiencing signs and symptoms of the illness.  Visitation remains restricted in order to reduce the risk of illness being brought into or taken out of the facility.

As part of the Region’s outbreak protocols, infection control practices have been enhanced at the Swift Current Care Centre.  Any staff who are ill are being advised to stay home and not return to work until they are asymptomatic for a minimum of 72 hours.

The health region would like to thank the public for adhering to the visitor restrictions that have been put in place.  Appreciation is also extended to staff and the region’s Public Health/Infection Control teams who are working diligently to eliminate the illness from the facility as quickly as possible.

Norovirus Information

Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. The viruses are very contagious and can spread easily from person to person. People exposed to the virus usually develop symptoms of illness within 24 to 48 hours, but symptoms can occur as soon as 12 hours after exposure. People infected with a norovirus can be contagious from the moment they start feeling ill to at least three days after they have recovered.

The most common symptoms of norovirus illness are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.  Symptoms can also include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.

The illness often begins suddenly, about 24 to 48 hours after exposure, and the infected person may become very sick with frequent vomiting and/or diarrhea. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults.

In most healthy people, acute diarrhea and vomiting usually last 24 to 72 hours, and people normally recover within one to two days. Symptoms may last longer in some people.

Most people feel better within one or two days, with symptoms resolving on their own and no long-term health effects occurring after illness.

There is no vaccine or antiviral to prevent getting sick with a norovirus and antibiotics are not effective in treating the illness (because antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses).  However, healthy people normally recover within one or two days with symptoms resolving on their own.

Original Message – January 29, 2016 at 2:43pm

Under the guidance of Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr, an outbreak has been declared at the Swift Current Care Centre due to the presence of enteric illness signs and symptoms amongst the facility’s long term care residents.

Due to this declaration, please consider the following:

  • Until further notice, visitation to the facility will be restricted.  The only exceptions to these restrictions will be in the event of an ‘end of life’ situation, where the nurse in charge at the facility can be contacted to discuss the options that are available for the family members to visit their loved one.
  • Outbreak has been declared due to the presence of an unconfirmed enteric illness.  Samples are being forwarded to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina for analysis and confirmation of the illness type.
  • Presently, there are 6 long term care residents within the facility who have been identified as meeting the signs and symptoms of this illness.
  • Enhanced cleaning and infection control protocols have been implemented within the facility in an attempt to remove the illness.

Public Health and Infection Control Team members are actively involved and are providing guidance into the ongoing steps being taken to eradicate the illness.  The health region is strongly emphasizing that everyone do what they can to prevent the spread of illness/sickness to others.  Frequent and proper handwashing, staying home when ill, and enhanced cleaning of hard surfaces within your homes/businesses should always be the normal practice.

This page will be updated with further details as they become available.

Alert

Outbreak Declared Over: Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility

UPDATE – December 14, 2015, 5:45pm

Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr has rescinded the outbreak previously affecting the Southwest Integrated Health Care Facility’s Prairie Oasis (blue house) long term care home.  Visitation has now returned to normal; however, all visitors are encouraged to continue practicing good hand hygiene when entering and leaving health region facilities and to take advantage of hand washing and hand sanitizer stations that are available. If you are feeling ill, please delay your visit to the facility until your signs and symptoms have disappeared.

The Maple Creek staff and health region’s infection control team are thankful for the patience and understanding of the residents’ families and general public over the past week while the outbreak was effective.

Testing has not yet revealed a causative microorganism of the enteric illness that was to blame for the outbreak.

Previous message (December 8, 2015) – no longer applicable.

Under the guidance of Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr, an outbreak has been declared at the Prairie Oasis (Blue) Long Term Care home in the Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility in Maple Creek, due to the presence of enteric illness signs and symptoms amongst some of the house’s long term care residents.

Due to this declaration, please consider the following:

  • Until further notice, visitation to the Prairie Oasis (Blue) House will be restricted.  The only exceptions to these restrictions will be in the event of an ‘end of life’ situation, where the nurse in charge at the facility can be contacted to discuss the options that are available for the family members to visit their loved one.
  • Visitation to the Paradise Pines and Prairie Meadows long term care houses will continue to be allowed at the current time.  However, visitors are reminded to wash their hands upon entering and leaving the facility to reduce the risk of illness transmission.
  • This outbreak has been declared due to the presence of an unconfirmed enteric illness.  Samples have been forwarded to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina for analysis and confirmation of the illness.
  • Presently, there are 4 long term care residents within the Prairie Oasis House who have been identified as meeting the signs and symptoms of this illness.   Several other residents are being closely monitored.
  • Enhanced cleaning and infection control protocols have been implemented within the facility, to minimize the illness.
  • Public Health and Infection Control Team members are actively involved in the situation and are providing guidance into the ongoing steps being taken to curb the illness.  The health region is strongly emphasizing that everyone do what they can to prevent the spread of illness/sickness to others.  Frequent and proper handwashing, staying home when ill, and enhanced cleaning of hard surfaces within your homes/businesses should always be the normal practice.

Additional information will be posted this page as it becomes available.