The Independent

As a COVID and flu outbreak ends at Bluewater Health, the hospital says its staff are masking up in all treatment areas.

Dec. 11, the hospital declared a COVID and flu outbreak in the inpatient rehabilitation unit, with seven patients confirmed positive. Hospital officials lifted the outbreak measures Monday saying infection prevention and control measures limited the number of people who were ill.

Just moments before releasing the news, hospital officials announced that staff mus wear masks in all clinical areas because of the “significant increase in influenza activity locally and across the province.”

Provincial data shows 2,239 people have been admitted to hospital with this years strain. Provincial and local health officials are anticipating “continued increases in influenza and RSV cases in the coming weeks. That’s likely to increase the number of hospitalizations.

“At Bluewater Health, we are seeing the impacts of this severe influenza season firsthand,” said Dr. Michel Haddad, Chief of Staff and Vice-President of Medical Affairs in a news release. “Masking in clinical areas is an important step to reduce the spread of respiratory illness and help protect patients, families, and healthcare workers – especially those most vulnerable to severe outcomes.”

Under the masking rules staff and volunteers are required to wear a mask with eye protection in clinical areas within two metres of patients. Vistors are “strongly encouraged to wear a mask” and patients must wear a mask when leaving their room.

Bluewater Health officials add the best way to avoid this year’s flu season is to get vaccinated.