UPDATE: Family visitation only at St. Luke’s Home: Eastern Health

An article on The Telegram website Tuesday, regarding visitor restrictions at St. Luke's Home in St. John's, contained some inaccurate information.

Visitation to St. Luke’s is restricted to immediate family members only due to an increase in gastrointestinal illness, not influenza.

Immediate family members requiring any further information are asked to call (709) 752-8900.

Eastern Health also recently imposed visitor restrictions to immediate family members only because of respiratory illnesses at three other facilities, Unit East 2 in the Hoyles building within the Hoyles Escasoni Complex, Saint Luke’s Homes and St. Patrick’s Mercy Home. Two facilities were also closed to family and visitors — the Pentecostal Senior Citizens Home and Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre.

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Eastern Health announced Monday that an increase in influenza illness has forced the regional health authority to not allow visitors inside Saint Luke’s Homes in St. John’s.

According to a news release, the restriction applies to all potential visitors, including family members, and it will remain in place until further notice. Immediate family members with questions are asked to call 786-2993.

The health authority adds that people should avoid visiting health care facilities if they are experiencing flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.

People should wash their hands frequently, cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the crook of their arms and avoid touching their faces. Those seeking a flu shot are advised to contact their family doctor.

Saint Luke’s Homes is a 124-bed facility that provides various level of care. It also has independent living quarters in cottages and apartments.

Eastern Health has made several announcements in the past two weeks concerning visitor restrictions at health care facilities.