Mask mandate, visitor limits in effect at northern Ontario long-term care home amid virus outbreak

Rhinovirus outbreak prompts visitor limits at Blind River long-term care home. Non-essential visits are postponed; essential visitors must mask.

An outbreak of Rhinovirus has been declared at a long-term care facility in Blind River, prompting immediate visitor restrictions.

Algoma Public Health declared the outbreak at the Long-Term Care Unit of the North Shore Health Network after the virus was confirmed through what the network called “ongoing, proactive surveillance and case finding.”

Precautions and visitor restrictions

The health agency said Friday that it is working with public health officials “to take actions to keep workers, providers, residents and visitors safe.”

Effective immediately, the following measures are in place for the home:

• Visitors are required to wear a medical mask at all times, and to perform hand hygiene upon entry and exit.
• Visits are limited to one resident at a time, in their room.
• The unit is closed to new admissions.

The network said it is actively monitoring all residents for new symptoms.

Postponing visits recommended

“It is recommended that all non-essential visits be rescheduled to a later date,” the North Shore Health Network said in a news release, further advising that all visitors should consider their personal health before deciding to visit.

Visitors showing signs of influenza-like illness, such as fever, cough or runny nose, will be “encouraged” not to visit, the network said.

Keeping the community informed

“The North Shore Health Network will continue to provide updates on the status of the outbreak,” said the network.

The network also directed those seeking information on virtual visiting options to contact its long-term care unit’s recreation team.

“Thank you for your understanding and for treating our workers with kindness and respect,” concluded the health network in their news release.