Visitor precautions still in place at some health care facilities and now at Kings County Memorial Hospital

Update - Visitor precautions have been extended to Kings County Memorial Hospital as several patients are experiencing influenza-like illness, and precautions remain in place at other health care facilities due to the ongoing presence of influenza and gastro-intestinal illness.

Kings County Memorial Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Unit 8 (general medical and acute stroke unit) are limiting visitation to no more than two (2) visitors at one time for no longer than one hour at a time as several patients at both facilities are experiencing influenza-like illness. 

As some residents at Sherwood Home continue to experience influenza-like illness and several residents at Beach Grove Home are experiencing symptoms of gastro-intestinal illness, Health PEI asks that visitors stay home if they are feeling unwell to prevent the further spread of illness to residents.   

It is extremely important that everyone going into Island hospitals and long-term care facilities clean their hands before entering, and when leaving, a patient’s room, program or service area, and when entering and leaving the facility. Alcohol hand rinse stations are available throughout health care facilities for this purpose. 

The situation will be reassessed Wednesday as more information becomes available and a further update will be provided at that time.  

Health PEI reminds Islanders that is not too late to get a flu shot, which  is the most effective way to prevent getting sick with influenza. Islanders can make a flu shot appointment with Public Health Nursing by calling 1-855-354-4358. Family physicians and local pharmacies are also providing flu shots; please call ahead to make an appointment if necessary. The flu vaccine is free.

Media contact:
Amanda Hamel
ajhamel@gov.pe.ca