WATCH ABOVE: The Devonshire Village seniors home in Edmonton has declared a flu outbreak and put measures in place to prevent healthy residents from getting sick. Jessica Kent explains.
EDMONTON – It’s been weeks since residents at Devonshire Village have done any recreational activities.
Dick and his wife, Jill, both had the flu over Christmas, which was cause for an outbreak to be called at the centre.
To avoid spreading the bug, all activities have been cancelled for weeks, including external services like hearing aid and denture appointments.
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“We have our staff take additional precautions around hand hygiene, we put up signs to let our residents and the public know that we’re on outbreak. Those residents that have been deemed as having flu like symptoms, we ask them to stay in their suite for as long as they’re comfortable to do so,” explained Melody Brakenbury with Christenson Communities.
Bassil said he and his wife stayed in their suite for two weeks straight and agree with the precautions taken.
“As a community here we are obliged to look after one another. If we all run around as individuals, everybody is going to get it.”
READ MORE: Nasty H3N2 flu season worsens as cases rise across Canada
Outbreaks are called when two or more residents show flu-like symptoms. According to Alberta Health Services, 184 care homes in Alberta have declared outbreaks this flu season, with 57 of those still active.
“Families can still visit their family members in the building if they want, we don’t tell them to stay away, we just encourage families and staff who are not feeling well to not come into the building,” said Brakenbury.
In his six years living at Devonshire Village, Bassil doesn’t recall one outbreak.
Staff at the centre say it’s not a common occurrence, but when they happen the proper amount of attention needs to be given.
READ MORE: Seniors hit hardest by flu season, Alberta Health Services says
“It’s really dependant on the season, it’s dependant on the residents,” added Brakenbury.
With one resident in the centre still showing flu like symptoms, the outbreak is expected to last for another few days.
Staff at Devonshire Village will continue to assess and report back to AHS for the green light to lift the outbreak and resume all activities.
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