Press Release
Over the last few days, it has become clear that the ’flu has taken hold in communities throughout Rainy River District.
As a result, there has been an increase in the number of patients presenting at Riverside’s emergency departments in Fort Frances and Rainy River, as well as the urgent care clinic in Emo, with influenza-like illness and respiratory complaints.
Influenza is an acute respiratory illness caused by a virus.
Symptoms include fever, cough, weakness, body aches, and headache.
Influenza can lead to pneumonia.
Most people with the ’flu are strongly encouraged to avoid the emergency department to prevent spreading it to others, but it can be difficult to know when and where to seek medical help.
“To help people know when to stay home and when to seek help, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care developed an online self-screening tool at ontario.ca/flu,” noted Jodi Jewell, Riverside’s co-ordinator of infection prevention and control.
“The website also offers tips for managing ’flu symptoms at home, which include drinking a lot of fluids and taking basic pain or fever symptom relievers,” she said.
Regular visiting hours and rules remain in effect for all Riverside sites.
But Riverside is urging everyone to use common sense and discretion, and refrain from visiting the hospitals or long-term care sites, including Rainycrest, if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
Those who do come to visit will be encouraged to wash their hands often with the solution provided throughout the facility, and to be respectful of any other direction or requests from staff.
“We have not yet restricted visitation, but it may become necessary to help stem the spread of infection in the hospital and protect the well-being of hospital patients, long-term care residents, and staff,” Jewell stressed.
Riverside will continue to monitor the situation closely, including an ongoing review of the visitor restriction status, and advise the public of any changes.
For more information, visit riversidehealthcare.ca
