Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
January 30, 2019 - 11:05 AM
KAMLOOPS - Interior Health Authority is warning the public of a gastrointestinal illness outbreak at Royal Inland Hospital.
As of yesterday, Jan. 29, there are currently 16 patients and 11 staff members affected at the hospital, according to an Interior Health media release. Hillside Psychiatric Centre has also declared seven patients and 13 staff members with symptoms.
The hospital is currently not admitting any patients to three wards experiencing the outbreak. Patients on these wards are waiting for admission to long-term care or assisted living facilities and will not be transferred until the outbreak is over, Interior Health says.
These precautions mean there might be congestion at the emergency department and it might be a longer wait than normal to see a physician.
People with non-emergent illnesses are asked to contact their family doctor or go to a walk-in clinic, Interior Health says. They can also stay home and rest or consult with a healthcare provider by calling 811.
Signage is posted at the entrance of affected units to advise people that the outbreak is ongoing so people can take proper precautions. Healthy people can still visit but may want to wait until the outbreak is over.
Interior Health says staff have enhanced housekeeping in patient rooms, bathrooms and frequently touched areas. Visitors should practice appropriate hygiene to prevent the virus from spreading.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Karen Edwards or call (250) 819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2019