Virus outbreak sees St. Paul’s medical unit quarantined

A norovirus outbreak forced the Saskatoon Health Region to quarantine a unit at St. Paul’s Hospital last week.

The first sign of norovirus in the medical unit of St. Paul’s appeared on Jan. 2, but since then another seven people — including patients and staff — have been infected. The unit remains quarantined, which means staff have restricted visitors and new admissions and transfers to the unit.

“It’s not a large outbreak at this point, but the fact that we haven’t got it under control yet is worrisome,” said Donna Wiens, the health region’s director of infection prevention and control. “It’s still spreading. People are still contracting the virus.”

Norovirus is very contagious and causes sudden onset vomiting and diarrhea in infected people.

Hospital staff aren’t sure how norovirus entered the unit, but it most likely came from new patients, visitors or staff, Wiens said. Norovirus outbreaks were found in Royal University Hospital and the Humboldt District Hospital in December.

The medical unit is for short- and long-term patients requiring non-surgical attention, such as patients with diabetes or respiratory problems. About 30 patients remain in the unit, which is being monitored by staff.

The health region must wait a period of 96 hours from the onset of the last norovirus case before declaring the outbreak over, Wiens said.

About 300 to 400 norovirus outbreaks are reported in Canada annually, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Outbreaks are easily spread in environments where people are in constant close contact, such as schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

The health region recommends people stay at home if they’re sick to stop the spread of norovirus, which has also been seen in the general population.