The outbreak of Rhinovirus and Parainfluenza at the Stratford General Hospital has officially come to an end.
Huron Perth Public Health declared the outbreak over this morning (November 2nd) – the outbreak was initially declared on October 25, prompting immediate precautions and testing for patients.
With the outbreak officially over, the affected unit has been reopened to admissions and transfers, and family and caregiver presence on the unit has been restored.
Erica Jensen, Manager Quality, Patient Safety & Infection Control, explained, “At this time, it was discovered that patients were also testing positive for parainfluenza, another group of viruses that cause common respiratory infections.”
Huron Perth Public Health encourages the community to stay vigilant in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses, especially as they continue to circulate in the region. Jensen emphasized the importance of protective measures, stating, “Keep up-to-date with your flu and COVID-19 vaccines, wear a mask when needed, wash your hands often, and stay home if you are feeling sick.”
Appreciation is extended to the dedicated HPHA team and regional partners who worked to manage the outbreak.
For more detailed guidelines and information, you can visit the HPHA website at www.hpha.ca.
Written by: B. Shakyaver