The Cypress Health Region has released an update on the Human Metapneumovirus outbreaks at care centres in Swift Current and Shaunavon.

     Chief Medical Officer Dr Khami Chokani says the Health Region has changed the current outbreak status at the Palliser Regional Care Centre.

     He says, since conditions among the residents have improved, the Health Region has downgraded the Outbreak status to an Alert status.

     That means visitors are now allowed into the facility, unless they are ill or have been sick in the past seven days.  Also, external activities from outside of the facility are not being permitted until conditions return to normal.

     However, the outbreak status at the Shaunavon Care Centre continues.  Dr Chokani says that a ninth resident has contracted the illness in the past week.  The outbreak at the care facility in Shaunavon began after the one at the Palliser.