Visiting restrictions are now in place at the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital to reduce the spread of the H1N1 and seasonal flu virus among patients and staff.

The General and Marine Hospital in Collingwood reports seeing an increase in the number of patients presenting for care in the Emergency Department with Influenza Like Illness (ILI), adding that between October 25th and 28th, ILI patients increased by more than seven percent per day. The hospital also reported that family physicians' offices throughout the General and Marine Hospital service area are also reporting seeing a similar increase in these patients.

In a prepared news release, the hospital stated the following:

Based on this upward trend, the G&M Outbreak management Team (including physicians, nursing, pharmacy, lab, housekeeping and infection control staff and representation from Public Health) recommended the following visiting restrictions be implemented effective Thursday, October 29, 2009.

• No visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed.
• Visitors to Obstetrical patients will be limited to only one labour support person (both during and after delivery) who must be in good health.
• All other hospitalized patients will be allowed only one visitor at a time at the discretion of the primary nurse or healthcare provider.
• Visiting hours (1 to 8pm daily) will be strictly enforced.
• Those coming to the G&M to visit or for diagnosis and treatment must perform hand sanitization upon entry and exit of Hospital.
• Patients coming to the Emergency Department with a cough and/or fever will be asked to put on a mask.

"Individiauls 18 years of age and under are currently the population most prevalently presenting with H1N1. We are restricting this population from visiting and limiting visitors to one per patient to limit the exposure of our patients to this virus," says Norah Holder, G&M, VP of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer. "We believe this will greatly reduce the risk of our inpatient population coming in contact with visitors who have H1N1 though not yet exhibiting signs and symptoms" Holder added.

For updates and more information, visit the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital's web site: www.cgmh.on.ca