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Hospitals Request Limiting Visits, Due to Heightened Flu Activity

Peoria City/County Health Department

Flu season is kicking into high gear, and area hospitals providers are responding with a public request to limit patient visits. This helps the minimize the chance of spreading the virus.

The request comes in response to health department data that shows increased cases of flu in the region. The health department shows since 237 people in the region tested positive for the virus, between Oct. 31 and Dec. 24th.

The Peoria City/County Health Department says those who are not feeling well or have had flu-like symptoms in the past week should not visit hospitalized patients. 

Hospitals are also requesting that visitors be 18 or older. This reduces patient exposure to children, who are known to be high risk for transmission of viral infections. It also help protect children from contracting an illness while visiting the hospital. In most cases, influenza causes body aches, fever and cough.

In some cases, the flu can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly.

Request from area hospitals:

  • Visitors should be at least 18 years of age and older. This will minimize patient exposure to children, who are known to be high risk for transmission of viral infections, and will also help protect children from contracting an illness while visiting the hospital.
  • Individuals who are not feeling well or have had flu-like symptoms in the past seven days should not visit hospitalized patients. Flu-like symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough, and/or sore throat. 
  • When entering and leaving a patient’s room, everyone should wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand foam/gel. Washing helps limit the spread of disease.
  • People should cough or sneeze into their arm, shoulder, or tissue (not hands) to reduce the spread of germs that can be passed from hands touching surfaces or people.