Notice to Visitors of Long Term Care Facilities

From the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

(Ministere de la Sant et des Soins de longue duree).

ATTENTION VISITORS

Recent infections of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in the Toronto Area have prompted the Province's Chief Medical Officer of Health to urge visitors to take precautions when visiting a friend or relative in a Long-Term Care facility in Ontario.

If you have travelled recently to Hong Kong or Guandong Province in the People's Republic of China, Singapore or Vietnam, we ask that you not visit a long term care facility and monitor your health for at least ten days following your arrival in Canada.

As well, people who have visited Scarborough Hospital, Grace Division between March 8 and March 24, 2003 where this illness first appeared in Toronto are also asked to not visit long-term care facilities and monitor their health for at least 10 days.

If you have travelled to Asia or visited Scarborough Grace Hospital recently and develop a sudden fever accompanied by cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, please seek medical attention immediately or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-000. If you do not have symptoms but are concerned and want more information about SARS, please call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.

As always, we ask that you please remember to wash your hands thoroughly before, during and after your visit to the facility.