MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Health District downgraded the influenza outbreak at the Emeritus at Hearthstone assisted care and retirement facility in Moses Lake.

Twenty-five percent of residents and staff displayed flu-like symptoms in late February.

Four out of five lab results confirmed residents were sick with Influenza A (the seasonal flu). No new illnesses have been reported in the last seven days.

Grant County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny ordered that people not enter Hearthstone unless absolutely necessary after the initial outbreak. Brzezny continues to urge the community not to visit the facility if sick.

The district continues to monitor Hearthstone through Tuesday.

If no additional people display flu-like symptoms, all restrictions will be taken off the facility.

"The Grant County Health District would like to thank the Hearthstone Inn and the community health care providers for their hard work and cooperation in controlling the spread of the flu in the facility," stated Grant County Health District Administrator Jefferson Ketchel.

"The flu can be a very severe illness in older adults," stated Community Public Health Manager and Epidemiologist Shawta Sackett. "Health district staff are in daily contact with Hearthstone Inn personnel. It is important that sick people or those who have been recently around sick people do not enter Hearthstone or visit Hearthstone residents outside the facility."

The health district recommends people help avoid the spread of influenza by taking the following steps:

• Eat healthy and get plenty of rest and exercise to remain healthy.
• Stay home from school or work if sick.
• Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw away the tissue. If a tissue is unavailable, cough into a sleeve.
• Clean frequently-touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones.
• Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer.
• Visit www.granthealth.org to find a flu shot provider.