Flu policy goes into effect at Vancouver hospitals
Health officials in Vancouver are asking all hospital visitors who have not had a flu shot to wear a mask.
The policy is part of the province’s attempts to prevent the spread of flu and protect vulnerable patients from a potentially fatal infection.
Vancouver Coastal Health’s medical health officer, Dr. Meena Dawar, said in a statement on Friday that flu can be devastating for patients with chronic health problems including those with weakened immune systems.
She is urging people to get a flu shot if they haven’t already.
The policy applies to all patient care areas in Coastal Health hospitals, residential care homes, community health care centres and other health facilities from now to around the end of March.
Surgical masks are available at nursing stations or at reception desks.