A local hospital puts visitor restrictions in place due to an increase in flu activity.
OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center and OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center are asking the public to limit visits as a precautionary measure.
These guidelines are based on recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Effective Monday, December 16, 2019 it is requested that:
• Visitors should be at least 18 years of age and older. This will minimize exposure of patients to children, who are known to be high risk for transmission of viral infections, and will protect children from contracting an illness while visiting the hospital.
• Please do not visit hospitalized patients if you are not feeling well, particularly if you have had flu-like symptoms during the past seven days. Symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough, and/or sore throat.
• Remember to cough and/or sneeze into your arm or shoulder or use a tissue. The spread of germs can be reduced by coughing into your clothing. Avoid covering your mouth with your hands, as the germs can easily be passed through direct contact with surfaces or people.
To assist in limiting the spread of disease, please wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand foam/gel when entering and leaving a patient’s room or after coughing, sneezing or using a tissue.