Respiratory illness outbreak declared at Castlegar care facility

A respiratory infection outbreak has been declared at Castlegar’s Castleview Care Centre as of December 2024.

As a result, Interior Health has asked the public to consider postponing any visits to the facility until the outbreak is over.

Interior Health states that the spread of respiratory illness occurs when someone coughs or sneezes, and droplets containing the virus come into direct contact with the mucous membranes of another person’s eyes, mouth, nose, or airway.

The virus can also survive on surfaces, hands, and clothing, and it can easily spread when a person touches something contaminated. This is why frequent handwashing is critical.

Symptoms include a new or worsening cough, fever, weakness, runny nose, sore throat, or headache.

Signs will be posted at the entrance of the facility until the outbreak is over. Activities and outings at the facility may also be cancelled.

Interior Health says residents in the facility may be encouraged to stay in their rooms, receive meals in their rooms, or sit at separate tables to prevent the virus from spreading to other residents.

Infected residents may need to reschedule non-urgent medical appointments or be transferred to another hospital if they require additional treatment.

More information can be found here.