Almonte in cold outbreak
Tuesday, October 31, 2006 -- Natalie Miller
Achoo!

Almonte Country Haven is experiencing an outbreak of rhinovirus, the virus that causes the common cold. Being in outbreak, the eastern Ontario long-term care home is working with the local health unit and taking precautions in attempt to control the spread of germs, says administrator Rick Gourlie.

“We’ve posted up the notices at the front doors for visitors to just visit their family members and to wash their hands, wash their hands, wash their hands,” says Rick.

“If you’re not feeling well, don’t visit. That is our hope so we can control the spread.”

At shift changes and during morning report meetings, management is providing information to staff including a run-through of preventative measures, an update on outbreak status and a report on the condition of the home’s residents who have the virus. “We run through pathways for transmission and who’s on the list and who’s not,” says Rick.

About 20 of the home’s 82 residents have exhibited similar symptoms so far. Symptoms of the common cold are: mucus buildup in the nose, difficulty breathing through the nose, swelling of the sinuses, sneezing, sore throat, cough and headache. Fever is usually slight and symptoms can last from two to 14 days, but most people recover within a week

Rick, along with the home’s education co-ordinator, Marion Lee, attend local meetings of the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit to keep up-to-date on the latest bugs and other health information.

The home will be declared free of the rhinovirus 10 days after the last person starts exhibiting symptoms. One resident is still sick. “We are, touch wood, coming out of it,” Rick says.

With residents feeling bogged down by their cold symptoms and staff members off sick, Rick says employees have been troopers during the outbreak. “It’s very taxing. They’re giving 110 per cent.”