Toronto's Mount Sinai hospital has an outbreak of the H1N1 flu.
At a news conference today, Barbara Yaffe, Toronto's associate medical officer of health, confirmed an outbreak of H1N1 at the hospital. As well, she said they are investigating a potential outbreak at a long-term care facility.
“It's the only outbreak in a hospital that has been reported to us,” Dr. Yaffe told reporters. A Mount Sinai Hospital spokeswoman could not immediately be reached for comment.
Donald Low, chief microbiologist at the hospital, said some health-care workers were H1N1 positive.
As well, Dr. Yaffe said about one out of 20 schools is reporting higher absenteeism rates, due to flu-like illness.
In an interview, Allison McGeer, director of infection control at Mount Sinai, confirmed there were three cases of influenza among patients and staff in the intensive care unit.
“Hospital acquired cases of influenza are happening everywhere, it's critically important we be looking for them,” Dr. McGeer said. “… This is not the least bit unexpected for us and it's been very simple to deal with because all of our staff were expecting this might happen and were ready for it.”
Of the three patients and staff, she could not be more specific due to patient confidentiality.
“All of them are doing fine,” she said. “They are all well.”
The Globe on H1N1
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