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Owensboro Health Regional Hospital announced on Tuesday, Jan. 6th, that it has implemented visitor restrictions amid an increase in flu cases, in an effort to protect patients, visitors, and staff from the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Hospital officials stated that these restrictions will remain in effect until further notice and are intended to reduce the risk of spreading viruses to patients.
In the past week, hospital officials reported that 66 patients have tested positive for influenza. So far this month, they noted 37 cases of flu have been recorded, following 192 positive tests in December.
The visitor restrictions at Owensboro Health include the following actions:
- Visitors should be kept to a minimum and should only include persons essential for the patient’s care and emotional well-being.
- No children under age 18 will be allowed to visit patients.
- Anyone with a cold, respiratory illness, or flu symptoms is asked to refrain from visiting. Symptoms meeting these criteria include one or more of the following: Fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose and/or sneezing, muscle/body aches, headaches, and fatigue.
To help prevent the flu’s spread, hospital officials recommend washing your hands frequently with soap and water, or with a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and covering coughs or sneezes with your sleeve or the crook in your elbow.
Medical officials urge anyone who has not yet received a flu shot this year to get vaccinated, noting the vaccine takes about two weeks to become effective and can help reduce the severity and duration of illness.
For more information and resources about the flu, including current flu activity and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
