Area health providers are urging residents to limit hospital visits, due to heightened flu activity.
OSF HealthCare, UnityPoint Health Methodist, and Hopedale Medical Complex say in a joint statement they want to protect patients, visitors and staff from spreading the flu and other upper respiratory illnesses.
The Peoria City-County Health Department is following CDC guidelines for preventing spread of the virus by urging individuals with flu-like symptoms to refrain from visiting hospitalized patients. The Health Department also recommends that anyone visiting the hospital should be at least 18 years old. That minimizes exposure to children, who are known to be high risk for transmitting viral infections.
Peoria City-County Health Department says data indicates increased cases of influenza throughout the region.