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The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday A pril 2, 2003 - A3 Region monitoring quarantined residents (Continued from page A1) Provincial health officials believe the virus is contracted by inhaling bodily fluids from a cough or sneeze of an infected person. The quarantined residents are being asked to stay in their homes and avoid contact with the public. Dr. Nosal said the length of the quarantine -- up to 10 days -- could vary depending on when residents contacted the Region. For example, if it's been five days since a person left a hospital in Toronto identi fied as a hot spot for SARS, the quarantine would be five days, he said. The Region's Health Department is monitoring the patients twice a day by calling them and asking them for their temperature, and if they're showing any SARS symptoms. If a patient shows no symp toms after the quarantine has expired. Dr. Nosal said they are free to come and go. He said the public needs to stay informed about SARS by watching the news on televi sion. reading newspapers and consulting the Region's Web site at www.region.halton.on.ca. since the situation is "evolving." People can also call the Region at (905) 825-6060, ext. 7825. "It's very important to stay up to date," Dr. Nosal said. The Province declared a health emergency last week and is urging people who may have come in contact with ttc u to R « « p l r * l » r y 3 y n d > o l (SAR S) A lert someone who's showing SARS symptoms, or have visited high-risk areas, to quarantine ,c«pt lot pAf*nl» of ci^w»«n ·> |v themselves and to contact the local health department to have n t x a l ill p a s to o i* their condition monitored. The Province is also k) Tt>* S c A r t x y o u j* encouraging people to wash their hands. timm) ltCO> Hoog Kong. Hospitals throughout \*m armS^io»P<y« « #>· 0**' Greater Toronto, including all those in Halton. are under d o t e c o n t a c t w ith t o m w o 111 extraordinary directives from ,, the Ministry of Health to limit U10 p t ,i on a »nd ^'rKUr njfic * U* © m o/pw K y any possible SARS spread. The directives include measures UAskt »n ,l lht yRninffCf from restricting visitors to man dating that hospital staff wear masks, gowns, goggles and gloves while caring for patients. Physician Appreciation Dinner falls victim to SARS (Continued from page A1) Even the Region's Physician Appreciation Dinner slated for today has been postponed as a precautionary measure in the wake of a provincial directive curtailing social events among hospital staff. For visitors to OTMH the procedure works this way: start ing at 5:30 a.m. daily, drivers are met by a security guard who will ask several questions in order to determine the level of possible exposure to SARS. Non-emergency patients who have been cleared receive a green card, visitors a red "card. Anyone who may be at risk receives a blue card and is further screened. "Everyone's working together really well." said Carlton. "People are learning to be tolerant." Patients include those with appointments for some diag nostic procedures and therapy (like that received from the occupational health hand clinic) as well as renal dialysis treat ments. In the lobby, people go to either the green desk or red desk where they are met and directed further. "Most people are pretty good but it's upsetting to some people." said Carlton. One woman entering OTMH for a biopsy, for instance, was upset that her friend could not accompany her, but soon acquiesced. On the other hand, a pregnant woman and her husband were plainly thrilled on their way out after seeing ultrasound images of their baby. Front-line people such as the guards and hospital staff working access points to meet and mask visitors and patients must all wear a mask, gloves, gown and protective eyewear. One o f them is Rosaline Wilson, a lab assistant in the pre admission clinic who, because of surgery cancellations, has been temporarily re-assigned to the front door. According to her. the public is well-aware o f the situation and has been co operative. "I'm surprised at how smooth everything's going." she said. In order to restrict access, flowers, care packages and other personal effects are left with security personnel who ensure that patients receive them. X-ray films are also taken inside by staff who have even taken money and picked up prescrip tions for people from the pharmacy. "We're trying to reassure family members that their loved ones .ire not at risk," said Carlton. The screening o f OTMH staff runs 24 hours a day in a nar row, tented enclosure outside the hospital walls. Before gain ing admittance, doctors and nurses - plus workers building the new MRI clinic - must complete and sign a questionnaire and show their ID badge. On Tuesday, cleared staff members received a green happy face sticker. As of press time, Carlton explained that there is a possibil ity everyone entering OTMH will be required to have their temperature taken as well. According to her, wearing masks throughout one's workday is a constant - and sometimes uncomfortable - reminder of the situation. Occupational Health Co-ordinator Jennifer Gilland, for example, had a bandage on the bridge of her nose from where her mask rubs. "It's an adjustment," she said. "No one wants to wear the mask but you get used to it." It is essential that medical staff remain healthy, said Carlton, since if OTMH ever does get a case of SARS, every one's expertise and experience will be needed. "If something happens, we need all the staff we can get," she added. Salvation Army needs volunteers to deliver goods to quarantined households The Oakville Salvation Army is looking for at least 10 volunteers to help deliver goods to people under quarantine from of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The agency plans to send a van-load of volunteers to assist the Salvation Army District Headquarters, which plans to adhere to the utmost safety precautions. The volunteers may be delivering food, thermometers and other goods. For more information please call Wendy Perkins at 905339-2370. Nick Perry · Special to the Oakville Beaver Security guards, like this one in the lobby of O akville-T rafalgar M em orial Hospital on Tuesday, m ust w ear protective eyewear, m ask, gloves and gown when dealing with the public before anyone is allowed inside. Anyone entering the hospital m ust first pass a strict screening procedure. West Nile blood sampling program on hold Halton Region's random blood-sampling program designed to get a handle on the spread of West Nile virus (W NV) has been suspended because o f Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). McMaster University researchers have post poned completion of the blood-drawing por tion of the West Nile virus study until further notice. An Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital lab had been processing the samples but due to precautions in place at Greater Toronto Area hospitals to prevent the spread of SARS, visits to the hospital have been restricted. About 6 0 0 o f the 1,500 required blood sam ples have been taken. Participants who have completed the writ ten survey but have not had blood drawn will be contacted once the blood drawing process resumes. Researchers hope to have the results of the study available in June. Up to 1,500 south Oakville residents in the L6L and L6K postal code areas are to be ran domly contacted as part o f the voluntary "seroprevalance" study. People living in these areas had among the highest rates o f confirmed WNV vases in Canada last year. A map showing virus rates per 100.0000 residents for these and other postal areas in Oakville and Burlington is available on the Health Departm ent's Web site at www.region.halton.on.ca/health. Frequently asked questions and answers can also be viewed. YOUR FAMILY PRACTICE PH ARM ACY Guardian N o w in S to c k ! P H A R M A s s i s t Pgi O AKVILLE TOWN CENTRE PH ARM ACY Government Approved N95 Masks for Protection against SARS 2 8 0 N O R T H S E R V IC E R D . (AT DORVAL) · LOW DISPENSING FEES · PATIENT COUNSELLING · FREE DELIVERY · FULL SERVICE I' RINC: iA T H K R A C K ETS RK 1VF.1) I 9 0 5 -3 3 9 -0 4 0 0 LOCATED NEXT TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE & WALK-IN CLINIC CIETY 37th Annual PAINTINGS - POTTERY - SCULPTURE SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2003 Oakville Galleries at Centennial Square · 120 Navy Street Alive auction featuring over 70 original works by local and internationally recognized Canadian artists Preview showing APRIL 5 APRIL 12 during library hours Mon.-Thurs 10 am-9 pm; Fri. 10 am-5 pm; Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 1-5pm Admission to live auction - $10.00 Live Auction APRIL 12th - doors open 6:30 p.m. · Auction begins 7:30 p.m. For more inform ation contact The Oakville Art Society 905-827-5711 ©i .iiiil in ltc.iu(ilul Downtown Oaktiltc JO1) I ak cslio rc Uoail I a s i y ) ` c) , it/w u t I ' itA o --------------RNE OUTERWEAR SINCE 1815 www. oakvilleartsociety. com ft (00S) 8-iS 2031