Jason Lee, a spokesman for Garden Home in Charlottetown, said the facility started to see symptoms in residents on Feb. 3 and had three confirmed cases.
“We’re in that season, so it’s going to happen,” he said.
The Garden Home isn’t alone in dealing with influenza this year. In January, Kings County Memorial Hospital imposed visitor restrictions after an outbreak.
As of Feb. 11, the P.E.I government has reported 117 confirmed flu cases in the province during the 2016-2017 season.
Lee said there were no new cases as of Feb. 7 at Garden Home and after six days free of symptoms the facility was able to stop its extra precautionary measures.
Those precautions included having residents eat their meals in their rooms and other measures meant to limit movement throughout the facility.
There are 133 residents at Garden Home.
Lee said when staff members identify symptoms they report them to nursing staff and senior management so proper measures can be taken.
“We try to be very mindful and aware of what’s happening day to day,” he said.
When one resident gets sick, the illness can spread throughout the building as people move around it, Lee said.
“The best way to contain this is to limit the amount of movement of staff and residents.”
Lee said the facility also works with families and posts notices so they are aware of necessary precautions.