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The visiting restriction issued and then expanded last week at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) has been lifted. Dr. Neil Rau, Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) medical director of infection prevention and control, confirmed yesterday the limited visiting rules -- due to an outbreak of acute gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses -- were lifted this week. Visiting restriction lifted at OTMH's 4E and 4C medical units HHS had restricted visiting to OTMH's 4E medical unit to immediate family only as of Nov. 12 after an increase in acute GI cases, whose symptoms include a combination of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In that unit, 22 people -- 14 patients and eight staff -- fell ill. The illness and subsequent visiting restriction then spread to Unit 4C, where a dozen people -- six patients and six staff members fell ill. Rau confirmed last week a norovirus was behind the outbreak. The visiting limitation could only be lifted after at least four consecutive days during which no new cases had been diagnosed, said Rau, noting outbreaks such as this traditionally occur once or twice a year at a hospital. A norovirus is seldom deadly, except in the elderly and very young. For the most part, it is a benign, short-lived illness that can last anywhere between 10-48 hours. It is, however, extremely contagious and can have serious implications for the young, seniors or others whose health is compromised. 13 | Friday, November 22, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Shhhh... SIGN UP ONLINE www.ultimatedrivers.ca Oakville's Best Kept Secret. WEEKEND: DEC 7 - 8 14 - 15 4-DAY: DEC 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 DEC 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 EVENING: NOV 25 - 27 - DEC 2 - 4 407 Speers Road Suite 213, Oakville SAVE $100 No prices shown to avoid a stampede. The Highest Quality,The Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Gift Certificates Available 905.825.1172 309 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville 905.339.7604 · www.omnijewelcrafters.com *Subject to prior sale and may be terminated at any time.