RAINY RIVER – An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared at Rainy River Health Centre.
Riverside Health Care and Northwestern Public Health Unit publicly declared the outbreak in a news release on Monday.
Riverside, based in Fort Frances, operates the Rainy River hospital as well as La Verendrye General Hospital, Rainycrest Long Term Care Home and other facilities in the region.
Under enhanced visitor restrictions in place during the outbreak, each Rainy River patient or long-term care resident may have not more than two visitors or caregivers at a time.
As well, visits must take place in rooms and not in common areas — except for palliative care visits.
Masking is required of both staff and visitors in designated outbreak areas, with N95 masks and additional PPE as instructed when visiting anyone who is in isolation with COVID-19.
Riverside Health Care is asking people to follow practices that help prevent the spread of infections.
For example, they should wash their hands often and for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
To avoid spreading infections, the public is advised to stay at home if sick.
Riverside said its outbreak management team will continue to monitor the situation at Rainy River.
“We understand the challenges and hindrances posed by outbreak and thank everyone for their understanding and continued cooperation and support,” Riverside president and chief executive officer Henry Gauthier said.
