With the two flu outbreaks in Abbotsford residential care facilities, a health hazard order makes masks mandatory for visitors.
The high levels of flu activity in Fraser Health have prompted the chief medical health officer of the region to declare it a health hazard and invoke special powers to protect the vulnerable groups.
Those who are going to residential care or assisted living facility who has not received a flu shot this year must wear a mask and observe stringent hand hygiene while there. This rule applies to all staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Patients, visitors, and staff must observe these extra steps to protect their family members, patients, residents, and loved ones from the highly contagious and serious virus.
There have been 20 flu outbreaks at long-term residential care homes in Fraser Health this year. It is more than twice as many as reported in each of the previous two years. Two were in Abbotsford at Cottage Worthington Pavilion and Menno Hospital.
There are nine residential long-term care facilities and four assisted living facilities in Abbotsford which are owned or funded by Fraser Health. Even private facilities are also ordered to use these precautionary measures.
There has been more than four times the number of flu-related hospitalizations from long-term care facilities than in a typical flu season. A handwashing station and supply of masks will be provided at the entrance to the buildings.
It is not too late for people to receive a flu shot. Most residents, around 90% have already received a shot, but the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions do not usually mount a good response to the vaccine.
Even if they are vaccinated, they still face a higher risk of getting the flu. The health authority is urging anyone planning to visit care homes not to go if they feel sick.
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Learn how to stay safe by enrolling in a mask fitting test which is a requirement for many workplaces and school admissions or check out our available masks for sale by visiting our face mask sale page.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200504-coronavirus-what-is-the-best-kind-of-face-mask
https://www.livescience.com/are-face-masks-effective-reducing-coronavirus-spread.html
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/face-masks-importance-battle-with-covid19