Visitation Restrictions Will Continue at Memorial Hospital and Others As Officials Urge Flu Caution

FROM LOCAL SOURCES

JASPER -- Area hospitals, including Memorial in Jasper, have decided to continue visitation restrictions due to the on-going spread of the flu locally.

Hospital officials say the restrictions will be in place for the foreseeable future.

Under the restrictions, no one under the age of 15 will be permitted to visit patients in the hospital… You also can’t visit if you have symptoms of the flu.  And, only immediate family or other significant person as defined by the patient will be allowed to visit.  

Memorial Hospital is part of the Community Patient Safety Coalition.  All hospitals in the group are keeping visitation restrictions in place.

In our area, those facilities include Daviess Community Hospital, Deaconess, and St. Vincent in both Evansville and Warrick. 

The Dubois County Health Department is warning residents of the high prevalence of the flu in Indiana.  Local health officials are urging residents to take steps to avoid getting the flu, including getting your flu shot.  Those officials say it's not too late to do that.

Other ways to prevent spread of disease is to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.  Get plenty of rest.   
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Consider wearing a mask.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.