United States: The Central Illinois-based hospital system should begin restricted visitation policies to prevent the spread of respiratory illness.
Memorial Health stated in a news release on Thursday that patients allowed in their hospitals will be restricted to only two visitors.
More about the news
Secondly, all travelers must be at least 18 years old with no symptoms of sickness either physically or socially. The temporary restrictions will be put in place on Friday.
Furthermore, there are restrictions on movement in in-patient units in all five hospitals in Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield, and Taylorville.
HSE dealing with surge in respiratory illness with 742 hospitalised with the fluhttps://t.co/tSEV5ApvNs
— Paddy McKenna (@paddymacc1) December 27, 2024
These requirements do not apply to outpatient Memorial Care locations such as urgent centers, primary care, laboratory, or imaging, wcia.com reported.
The following recommendations have been made due to an increase in COVID-19, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus and have been presented to IDPH to present to the hospitals in the state.
Preventive measures
According to Memorial Health, they are applying the restriction.
Memorial Health said they are implementing the restrictions “for the safety of patients and their families as well as Memorial Health colleagues.”
Also, appropriate measures, such as wearing face masks during a visit to Memorial’s hospitals, are being promoted.
Individual masks will be provided to all individuals at the gate as they seek entrance into the hospital.
Health officials are warning the public about a significant rise in respiratory illness, including the flu and RSV, across McHenry County which has spiked emergency room visits. https://t.co/jUIyyEBgrA
— Lake & McHenry County Scanner (@LMCScanner) December 28, 2024
Health officials continue advising people to practice covering their mouth when they cough or sneeze, washing their hands most of the time, being sure to get all of the vaccines that are recommended, and wearing a mask around other people, wcia.com reported.
As reported by the IDPH, most patients who have been infected with a respiratory illness make a complete recovery within one to two weeks. However, severe complications can arise.