SUDBURY DISTRICT—Recent increases in respiratory and enteric illnesses have led to several outbreaks being declared in hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes in the Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) area that put patients at increased risk of illness. Based on its weekly respiratory illness surveillance, 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.
“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,” said Jonathan Groulx, a manager in Public Health’s health protection division. “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.”
To protect yourself and others and prevent the spread of illness PHSD recommends you: 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, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard used tissues immediately in the garbage and wash your hands. If you are at higher risk of severe outcomes from infection, consider wearing a mask 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. It is recommended to 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 hospital, 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.
PHSD publishes weekly information online about local activity levels of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV and posts information about all active outbreaks in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts related to respiratory and enteric illness.
For more information on respiratory and enteric illness and precautions to take, please visit phsd.ca or call PHSD at 705-522-9200 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200).
