|
The Grand Island Veterans Home closed to visitors Wednesday after it saw five confirmed cases of influenza pop up from Tuesday night to Wednesday afternoon.
Until further notice is given Monday, vets home officials are asking that the general public, volunteers and friends and family of members refrain from coming to the home. Vendor deliveries may continue as usual.
Four of the confirmed cases are Influenza A, while one is Influenza B. The cases involve three separate units, said Dr. Jennifer King, medical director at the veterans home.
These are the first confirmed cases of the flu at the home this season.
"The community has had influenza for several months, and we've just been extremely fortunate that we haven't had it here yet," said Nancy Klimek, activities director for the home.
The home vaccinates its members against the flu and also uses infection control to keep the virus at bay, Klimek said.
In addition to prohibiting outside visitors, the home has also canceled activities and closed its occupational therapy rooms, Klimek said.
For those who are well, employees will work to bring books, videos and other activities to individual members or organize small activities within each unit.
Limiting group activities and visitors will prevent influenza from spreading both within the home and into the general public, King said.
The flu has a 48-hour incubation period, so officials should know within the next few days if new cases will continue to arise, Klimek said.
All members and exposed staff members will be given Tamiflu to treat the virus or prevent it from spreading.
Veterans home employees will re-evaluate the situation Monday. If no new cases have shown up, outside visits may resume.
Until that decision is made, however, the vets home asks that people refrain from calling for updates.
Want to comment on this article?
Register on our forums and post your thoughts.
It's free and easy to do!
independentforums.com
|
