Residents at Pembina Lodge are getting through a flu outbreak that started nearly two weeks ago, and visitors are reminded to maintain good hand washing practices before they enter the facility.
“I’m confirming that Pembina Lodge does have an outbreak. Our understanding is that it’s a gastrointestinal flu. When this happens, we are required to follow Alberta Health Services guidelines with respect to outbreak management and infection control,” said Homeland Housing CEO Raymond Cormie.
He said residents at the seniors facility that are struck with the flu are asked to stay in their rooms, so as not to infect others and are provided tray service for meals, which are modified with their illness in mind.
“Recreation activities, generally, we cancel those because you don’t want to encourage congregate activity,” said Cormie.
He also noted there were no restrictions on visitations during the outbreak.
“We don’t restrict visiting, or anything of that nature, but we do ask that anyone visiting the lodge practice good hand hygiene, and use the hand sanitizers that are placed throughout the centre,” said Cormie.
The province’s medical officer of health declares when an outbreak has occurred and when it can be declared over, said Cormie, noting that two residents had come down with the flu as recently as Feb. 12. The medical officer will declare the outbreak over depending on when the residents’ last symptoms were observed.
“Overall, it has affected very few individuals, but as I said, there is a criteria that we have to follow when people are experiencing either respiratory or GI flu symptoms,” said Cormie.
“The flu can be very difficult for seniors so you certainly don’t want it to spread through the building.”
“Yes, we are in an outbreak, we are in the tail end of it and following AHS protocols, but families can definitely still visit, we just request that they practice proper hygiene before entering the site and leaving the site ... I’m confident that we’re following all the guidelines through AHS and taking the necessary precautions. We’re confident this outbreak will be over in the next few days.”
