H3N2 taxes Headwaters Hospital

1
More area residents are being hit with the flu than normal for this time of year, with most of the cases being a new strain, to which children under 4 and seniors over 65 are particularly susceptible. Locally, Headwaters Health Care Centre reports a significant increase in patients turning up at its emergency department with flu-like symptoms. “We have seen an over- all increase in Emergency visits in the past several weeks,” said Ann Cain, Manager, Public Relations at Headwaters Health Care Centre. “The last two weeks of December we saw a 57 per cent increase in patients coming to the Emergency Department with cough, fever or flu- like symptoms.” She noted that although these patients displayed flu-like symptoms they were not necessarily all diagnosed with influenza. Dr. Vinita Dubey, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Toronto Public Health, told the Toronto Sun that at this time of year normally the number of flu cases would have peaked, but the num- ber is still on the rise. Dr. James Downey, infection control officer for Toronto East General Hospital, told the Sun that, based on a five-year aver- age, the number of patients coming in with chest symptoms has almost dou- bled, causing a problem with resources. Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health at Wellington, Dufferin, Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), all of the peo- ple who have been diag- nosed with the flu in the Dufferin area have con- tracted the H3N2 strain. She commented that hospitals in the area, including Headwaters, are all busier than they nor- mally are at this time of the year. “The flu season can run as early as October and last until late June,” she said. The flu season is differ- ent every year. Dr. Mercer said that last year there was a spike in people get- ting the H1N1 (“swine”) flu, and this year a spike is coming in the middle of the season when the level of outbreak is normally consistent. According to Dr. Mercer, the H3N2 strain is slightly different from H1N1 in its composition. The symptoms are also dif- ferent in their severity. H3N2 symptoms include people getting sicker than they are with other strains of the flu, which is why it is especially important for young children, seniors and people who are already sick to protect themselves. “I believe we aren’t over this yet,” said Dr. Mercer. “We will see a continued increase.” She stated that we are also seeing a decrease in the number of health care workers who are being immunized, noting that can be especially danger- ous in long-term-care homes because of the con- stant exposure seniors get from workers and visitors. She said physicians are generally good at getting their immunization shots but other health care work- ers are not doing as well. Dr. Mercer said that since the flu shot is an inactive vaccine, contain- ing killed influenza virus, you don’t risk getting sick from it. The vaccine is generally effective within two weeks of administration. Its effec- tiveness is dependent on the extent of the match between the virus strains used in the preparation of the vaccine and those viruses that are currently in circulation. Symptoms to look out for include fever, muscle aches, chills and coughs. People with these symp- toms could bee looking at one to two weeks for recovery. Dr. Mercer said there are a lot of myths sur- rounding immunization and it is important to make sure the public has access to the right information. “When it comes to get- ting the flu shot if you are around people who have cancer or another sickness, young children or seniors you should consider get- ting the shot not just for yourself, but to protect them from getting sick.” By LINDSEY P APP Staff Reporter Orangeville Citizen/Free Press and Economist January 13, 2011 A11 Dodge.ca/Offers LESS THAN 550 REMAINING IN ONTARIO ** OR CHOOSE CUSTOMER CHOICE FINANCING $ 139 BI-WEEKLY 5.99 % †† FOR 60 MONTHS AND $ 0 DOWN @ WITH THE OPTION TO RETURN AFTER 60 MONTHS INCLUDES $8,250 CONSUMER CASH * , FREIGHT, AIR TAX, TIRE LEVY AND OMVIC FEE. TAXES EXCLUDED. OTHER RETAILER CHARGES MAY APPLY. + 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT shown. § $ 18 , 995 AT THIS PRICE, WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY? PURCHASE FOR +Your local retailer may charge additional fees for administration/pre-delivery that can range from $0 to $1,098 and anti-theft/safety products that can range from $0 to $1,298. Charges may vary by retailer. LAST CHANCE TO GET A 2010! STEP UP FOR ONLY MORE BI-WEEKLY with Customer Choice Financing $ 17 2010 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE STOW ’N GO ® • Second Row fold-in-floor captain’s seats • Third Row Stow ’n Go with tailgate seats 2010 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CANADA VALUE PACKAGE CANADA’S BEST SELLING MINIVAN FOR MORE THAN 26 YEARS Dodge.ca/Offers Wise customers read the fine print: •, *, **, ††, § The Breakthrough Year Event offers apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating retailers on or after January 6, 2011. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. See participating retailer for complete details and conditions. •$18,995 Purchase Price applies to 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package (24F) only and includes $8,250 Consumer Cash Discount. See participating retailer for complete details. Pricing includes freight ($1,400), air tax, tire levy and OMVIC fee. Pricing excludes licence, insurance, registration, any retailer administration fees, other retailer charges and other applicable fees and taxes. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Retailers may sell for less. *Consumer Cash Discounts are offered on most new 2010 and select 2011 vehicles and are manufacturer-to-retailer incentives, which are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. Amounts vary by vehicle. See your retailer for complete details. **2010 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package (24F) at $18,995 remaining on January 4, 2011. ††Customer Choice Financing for 36-, 48- and 60-month terms on approved credit through TD Financing Services and Ally Credit Canada is available at participating dealerships to qualified retail customers on most new 2010 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram models (except Grand Caravan Cargo Van and Ram Chassis Cab) and select 2011 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram models. The following terms apply to TD Financing Services contracts. (Different contract terms apply to Ally Credit Canada offers. See your retailer for complete details.) Vehicles are financed over a 36-, 48- or 60-month term with payments amortized over a term of up to 96 months and the pre-determined residual balance payable at the end of the contract. At contract’s end, customers have the choice of returning their vehicle through a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram dealership with no further obligations (except payment of a $199 return fee and excess wear and tear, mileage and similar charges), financing the remaining balance for the rest of the amortization period at then-current standard rates or paying the residual balance in full. Some conditions apply. Customer Choice Financing offered by TD in Quebec is subject to different terms and conditions. All advertised Customer Choice Financing offers are TD offers. Example: 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package (24F) with a Purchase Price of $18,995 financed at 5.99% APR over 60 months with payment amortized over 76 months equals 130 bi-weekly payments of $139 and one final payment of $4,560 for a cost of borrowing of $3,671 and a total obligation of $22,665.83. Taxes, licence, insurance, registration, excess mileage and wear and tear charges, any retailer administration fees and other applicable fees and charges not included. Retailers may sell for less. See participating retailers for complete details. §2010 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT shown has a higher price than the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package advertised. See your retailer or go to www.dodge.ca for complete details. ® SIRIUS and the dog logo are registered trademarks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. ® Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler Group LLC. Customer Choice Financing is a trademark of Chrysler Group LLC. Give Rachet a forever home. I’m a playful little sweetheart who is searching for a home that is gentle and loving just like me! Call 519-942-3140, visit the animals at the shelter at 650 Riddell Rd. or at: www.orangeville.ontariospca.ca Caressant Care Arthur Retirement Home (adjacent to our nursing home) 215 ELIZA STREET, ARTHUR, ONTARIO Trust your Retirement to Lois Zettler and her dedicated, caring staff. You’ll enjoy our one-level Home and wide range of activities all for a low, all-inclusive rate. Call Lois at 519-848-3795. For other Caressant Care Homes, call 1-800-792-3803 or visit our website www.caressantcare.com • smile analysis and design • tooth whitening • veneers • crown and bridges • dental implants • dentures • nitrous oxide to relieve anxiety Dr. Melanie Yu Now accepting New Patients We Create Smiles, One At A Time playfairdental.com 79 Broadway 519-941-9341 Contributed Photo FIRST OF 2011: Shown here with her parents, Lauren Catharine Elson (eight pounds two ounces), was the year’s first arrival at Headwaters Health Care Centre. The third child of Caren and Dave Elson of Caledon arrived at 1:54 p.m. on Sunday, January 2. A photo sent to us, with the correct information on the Elson arrival and published in last week’s issue, was actually the hospital’s Christmas baby, Cadence Elliott, born to Melanie and Dave Elliott of Hillsburgh at 11:52 a.m. on Christmas Day, weighing eight pounds, four ounces. H3N2 flu cases taxing Headwaters ER For reasons it won’t disclose, parent company Sobeys Inc. has confirmed it will be closing its Price Choppers supermarket in Orangeville’s Fairgrounds Shopping Centre. The closure, scheduled for Feb. 5, will affect 50 full- and part-time employees. Explaining that the company “does not dis- cuss business decisions,” Sobeys spokesperson Tracy Chisholm added that “this is a decision we don’t make lightly. “We are looking for opportunities for the employees within our net- work of stores.” Ms. Chisholm said she was unaware of any plans for the building once Price Chopper leaves the prem- ises. This is the third super- market to open and close in the same building. Price Chopper has occupied the building since 2005. Price Chopper to close next month

description

This article focuses on the increased number of in patients at Headwaters due to the H3N2 flu outbreak.

Transcript of H3N2 taxes Headwaters Hospital

Page 1: H3N2 taxes Headwaters Hospital

More area residents arebeing hit with the flu thannormal for this time ofyear, with most of thecases being a new strain,to which children under 4and seniors over 65 areparticularly susceptible.

Locally, HeadwatersHealth Care Centre reportsa significant increase inpatients turning up at itsemergency departmentwith flu-like symptoms.

“We have seen an over-all increase in Emergencyvisits in the past severalweeks,” said Ann Cain,Manager, Public Relationsat Headwaters Health CareCentre. “The last twoweeks of December wesaw a 57 per cent increasein patients coming to theEmergency Department

with cough, fever or flu-like symptoms.”

She noted that althoughthese patients displayedflu-like symptoms theywere not necessarily alldiagnosed with influenza.

Dr. Vinita Dubey,Associate Medical Officerof Health for TorontoPublic Health, told theToronto Sun that at thistime of year normally thenumber of flu cases wouldhave peaked, but the num-ber is still on the rise.

Dr. James Downey,infection control officerfor Toronto East GeneralHospital, told the Sun that,based on a five-year aver-age, the number of patientscoming in with chestsymptoms has almost dou-bled, causing a problemwith resources.

Dr. Nicola Mercer,Medical Officer of Health

at Wellington, Dufferin,Guelph Public Health(WDGPH), all of the peo-ple who have been diag-nosed with the flu in theDufferin area have con-tracted the H3N2 strain.

She commented thathospitals in the area,including Headwaters, areall busier than they nor-mally are at this time of theyear.

“The flu season can runas early as October and lastuntil late June,” she said.

The flu season is differ-ent every year. Dr. Mercersaid that last year therewas a spike in people get-ting the H1N1 (“swine”)

flu, and this year a spike iscoming in the middle ofthe season when the levelof outbreak is normallyconsistent.

According to Dr.Mercer, the H3N2 strain isslightly different fromH1N1 in its composition.The symptoms are also dif-ferent in their severity.H3N2 symptoms includepeople getting sicker thanthey are with other strainsof the flu, which is why itis especially important foryoung children, seniorsand people who arealready sick to protectthemselves.

“I believe we aren’t

over this yet,” said Dr.Mercer. “We will see acontinued increase.”

She stated that we arealso seeing a decrease inthe number of health careworkers who are beingimmunized, noting thatcan be especially danger-ous in long-term-carehomes because of the con-stant exposure seniors getfrom workers and visitors.

She said physicians aregenerally good at gettingtheir immunization shotsbut other health care work-ers are not doing as well.

Dr. Mercer said thatsince the flu shot is aninactive vaccine, contain-

ing killed influenza virus,you don’t risk getting sickfrom it.

The vaccine is generallyeffective within two weeksof administration. Its effec-tiveness is dependent on

the extent of the matchbetween the virus strainsused in the preparation ofthe vaccine and thoseviruses that are currently incirculation.

Symptoms to look out

for include fever, muscleaches, chills and coughs.People with these symp-toms could bee looking atone to two weeks forrecovery.

Dr. Mercer said thereare a lot of myths sur-rounding immunizationand it is important to makesure the public has accessto the right information.

“When it comes to get-ting the flu shot if you arearound people who havecancer or another sickness,young children or seniorsyou should consider get-ting the shot not just foryourself, but to protectthem from getting sick.”

By LINDSEY PAPP

Staff Reporter

Orangeville Citizen/Free Press and Economist January 13, 2011 A11

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Give Rachet a forever home.

I’m a playful little sweetheart who is searching for ahome that is gentle and loving just like me! Call519-942-3140, visit the animals at theshelter at 650 Riddell Rd. or at:www.orangeville.ontariospca.ca

Caressant Care Arthur Retirement Home(adjacent to our nursing home)

215 ELIZA STREET, ARTHUR, ONTARIOTrust your Retirement to Lois Zettler and her dedicated,

caring staff. You’ll enjoy our one-level Home and wide range of activities all for a low, all-inclusive rate.

Call Lois at 519-848-3795.

For other Caressant Care Homes, call 1-800-792-3803or visit our website www.caressantcare.com

• smile analysis and design• tooth whitening• veneers• crown and bridges• dental implants• dentures• nitrous oxide to relieve anxiety

Dr. Melanie YuNow accepting New Patients

We Create Smiles, One At A Timeplayfairdental.com

79 Broadway 519-941-9341

Contributed PhotoFIRST OF 2011: Shown here with her parents,Lauren Catharine Elson (eight pounds twoounces), was the year’s first arrival atHeadwaters Health Care Centre. The third childof Caren and Dave Elson of Caledon arrived at1:54 p.m. on Sunday, January 2. A photo sent tous, with the correct information on the Elsonarrival and published in last week’s issue, wasactually the hospital’s Christmas baby, CadenceElliott, born to Melanie and Dave Elliott ofHillsburgh at 11:52 a.m. on Christmas Day,weighing eight pounds, four ounces.

H3N2 flu cases taxing Headwaters ER

For reasons it won’tdisclose, parent companySobeys Inc. has confirmedit will be closing its PriceChoppers supermarket inOrangeville’s FairgroundsShopping Centre.

The closure, scheduledfor Feb. 5, will affect 50full- and part-timeemployees.

Explaining that thecompany “does not dis-cuss business decisions,”Sobeys spokespersonTracy Chisholm added

that “this is a decision wedon’t make lightly.

“We are looking foropportunities for theemployees within our net-work of stores.”

Ms. Chisholm said shewas unaware of any plansfor the building once PriceChopper leaves the prem-ises.

This is the third super-market to open and closein the same building. PriceChopper has occupied thebuilding since 2005.

Price Chopper to close next month