The spread of a skin infection is restricting access at the Owen Sound hospital.
Vice President of Strategic Planning, Maureen Solecki, says they’ve had to limit access to the women and child care unit, because of a higher incident of MRSA.
MRSA – methicillan-resistant staphylococcus aureaus – is a type of bacteria resistant to common types of antibiotics.
Solecki says it will appear as a cluster of boils or pimples on the skin, and it is treatable.
She says the majority of cases are minor – but they are taking extra precautions because it is newborn babies that are infected.
Solecki says there haven’t been more than ten cases, but still a higher number of cases than normal.
She says they are limiting visitors to the wing to stop the spread of the infection – which can only be spread through physical contact.
Solecki says they’re trying to pinpoint the source of the infection – whether it came from outside the hospital, or if it’s a problem within the wing.
She is asking any visitors to adhere to the rules and take extra care in hand washing.
The restrictions will be in place until Solecki says they feel comfortable that the risk of contracting the infection has been substantially reduced.
