RSV now confirmed at Rainycrest Long Term Care home in Fort Frances

Riverside Health Care says a respiratory outbreak that has stricken Rainycrest Long Term Care for almost two weeks has been confirmed as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

RSV is a highly contagious virus that often causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

Infants, toddlers and seniors 65 and older are at high risk.

Riverside, in consultation with the Northwestern Health Unit, first declared the outbreak on March 10th within one of the Fort Frances home’s wings.

Riverside has now extended it throughout the entire facility.

Precautions and restrictions that were first put in place have been extended.

This includes visitors required to wear a medical mask.

“During RSV outbreaks, visits from infants and young children are discouraged, where possible,” states a release from Riverside.

There are currently restrictions on admissions, transfers, and discharges, while large group social activities for residents have been paused until further notice.

Visitors are encouraged to self-screen before entering and refrain from visiting if experiencing any flu-like symptoms until they feel better.

“We would like to acknowledge increased RSV activity in the district and encourage everyone to take appropriate precautions to help keep themselves and others safe and well during this time.”

A separate RSV outbreak is at La Verendrye General Hospital’s First Floor In-Patient Unit.

That outbreak was declared on March 22nd.