Death link probed [SARS]

Toronto Sun ^ | 2003-06-01 | Kevin Conner

[Lorenb420]

Health officials are investigating whether they have a new cluster of SARS deaths after four people died last week at the Rouge Valley Health System's Centenary facility. "The autopsies have or are in the process of being completed ... We don't know if they are SARS-related," said Dr. Colin D'Cunha, Ontario's commissioner of public health.

"We aren't out of the woods yet. We can't start to breathe easy until the early part of next week."

The four deaths haven't been added to Canada's SARS death toll, which remains at 30.

"There is no indication of spread to other patients or staff but we have to monitor patients and staff very carefully from there," said Dr. James Young, Ontario's commissioner of public safety.

"It's difficult. We are all disappointed to be going through this again."

The four patients were all in isolation when they died and three of the four have tested positive for the coronavirus that's believed to cause SARS.

The emergency department and all walk-in clinics at the facility are now closed and officials are contacting everyone who was potentially exposed.

So far, no one from the hospital is showing signs of SARS.

D'Cunha said it's vital that people asked to quarantine themselves for SARS comply with the request, so the outbreak of the disease can be stopped.

There are concerns that some students in quarantine from Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy are not staying in isolation.

"I know it's difficult for teenagers to be in quarantine. If you know of anyone breaking quarantine, please snitch on them," D'Cunha said.

"Isolation means isolating yourself from family and friends. People have to realize they could be triggering a whole other (SARS) wave."

Officials have issued a quarantine alert for people who attended funeral services for a 90-year-old woman who lived at 4455 Bathurst St.

Six people are in quarantine at a seniors' building in North York after attending the funeral.

The woman who lived in the building contracted the virus while in hospital on the fourth floor of North York General and died May 19. The disease spread to her 67-year-old daughter, who also lived in the North York building, and she died May 28.

The six under quarantine from the seniors' home are part of a larger group, possibly more than 30, who attended the woman's funeral and had contact with family members.

"We aren't sure we have the full list of people who attended (the funeral) ... and we need them in quarantine," said Dr. Barbara Yaffe, associate medical officer of health for Toronto.

Anyone who attended the R.S. Kane Funeral Home, 6150 Young St., on the first floor on May 22 between 2 and 4 p.m. or 6 and 9 p.m. are to go into quarantine.

FUNERALS

Those who attended the May 23 funeral at Armenian Saint Mary Apostolic Church at 11 a.m. or the grave-site burial at York Cemetery, 101 Senlac, are to go into quarantine.

Many residents of the seniors' building are angry they don't know who is in quarantine at the residence.

"I'm worried. Not even the super knows who these people are and we don't know if they go out or not," said Ester Sapozhnikova, who lives on the 11th floor of the building.

"I'm scared. I don't go out and my children don't visit now."

There are 46 active probable and 15 active suspect SARS cases in Ontario. There are 7,315 people in quarantine.

[harpseal]

another cluster of cases. Four dead three of whom have tested positive for the corona virus and they are wondering if there is a SARS involvement.

[aristeides]

They're still playing games with the clinical definition.

[aristeides]

Canada's new Sars battle.

[jacquej]

'morning, ari and Judith Anne!

I am glad I missed the efforts by some to provoke last night, and kudos to Judith Anne for her attempts to explain the obvious to the quarrelsome.

Things that seem hopeful to me after watching a really funny video rental, and getting a good night's sleep are the following:

1 Not all get deathly ill from SARS
2 The young seem to be less affected
3 There is hope for mutation into a milder form
4 Spread isn't rampant (yet)

Things that worry me

1 SARS could easily ovewrwhelm our health care system, people
2 Present reporting methods are awful, assisting spread
3 The economic consequences could be worse than most understand
4 Those over 60 are in serious trouble
5 Vaccine/treatment nowhere in sight
6 People do not understand the exponential nature of spread


Can you think of anything obvious I have overlooked? I need my second cuppa to get the brain cells up to speed...

[First Amendment]

Humble request for name of really funny video...I could use one! (I hardly ever watch movies since I don't like filth and porn and from reading your posts I have a feeling you don't either!)

[jacquej]

Well, pram, aside from the liberal use of the f-word and some skimpy costumes in a couple of bar scenes, there was no porn, no gratuitous sex, and no use of violence for shock value.

It is "Analyze That" with Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro.

It is the sequel to "Analyze This", and is a mafia/gangster spoof, poking fun at movies like the Godfather, Goodfellas and maybe the Sopranos, but I wouldn't know about the latter since we don't get HBO.

"Analyze That" takes the spoof a little farther, mixing in spoofs on other movies as well, such as "Westside Story", and another one which I won't mention because it would give away the end of the movie...

In the first movie, Billy Crystal plays a psychiatrist who gets pulled into treating a mob boss played by DeNiro. DeNiro is having "trouble" (which he doesn't want his "guys" to know about). The second movie picks up after the first.

My husband, who is Italian, by the way, loved the satire, the poking fun at the ubiquitous stereotypical portrayal of Italian mobsters by Hollywood and TV .

The situations, the writing, the skill of DeNiro and Crystal in pulling it off are so quick, subtle yet to the point, that it is worth watching a couple of times to appreciate the way these two work together. DeNiro also pokes fun at himself in mocking the tough guy roles he has played in the past.

It would help to have seen Analyze This first, but it isn't essential. Some of the humor in "That" is dependent upon "This", but it can stand alone very nicely.

It isn't a movie for children, and my guess is the older you are (we are over 59) the more you will enjoy it. Even the use of violence in the movie is satire, and it isn't overdone.

If you see it, let me know if you laugh!

[First Amendment]

Thanks for the tip - the next time DH wants to rent a movie, I'll pick the first one first! I'm not a "prude" but I'm over 50 and I am not a fan of the degradation of culture. And there are so many actors and actresses whose politics or repellent personal lives/beliefs I can't forget about when I see them on screen. Usually I just watch movies with Mel Gibson!

[blam]

"Many residents of the seniors' building are angry they don't know who is in quarantine at the residence."

This could be a test case for 'seniors?'

[jerseygirl]

Not to jump in, but just a thought to add to the negative. It appears SARs can spread: 1.)by an infected asymptomatic person 2.)by contact with virus on objects- up to three days after the infected person coughed on, touched them, sneezed or whatever 3.)through sewage? 4.)to healthcare workers who are wearing masks and gowns, etc.

On the last thought, for you in the know, how do healthcare workers safely dispose of masks and gowns etc. after leaving a patient's room? I'm assuming they toss everything into a biohazard bag, but wouldn't they have to walk down a hall, touch doorknobs, etc. to get to the area of disposal?

[vetvetdoug]

Wait till they discover SARS causes retinal degeneration and seizures like FIPV does. I haven't seen those symptoms discussed yet but it has been too soon.

[aristeides]

Hong Kong Health Worker Dies From SARS .