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OSF hospitals limiting patient visits due to the flu

One can only hope the annual flu outbreak will start going down soon. But, until it does, some local hospitals are again imposing limits on those who can visit patients.

Both OSF Saint Mary Medical Center in Galesburg and OSF Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth say due to increased activity with the flu and what they say are other upper respiratory illnesses, the public should limit visits to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

As of Thursday, OSF HealthCare says visitors should be at least 18 years of age, limiting the exposure of viruses to children and others who may be at high risk of transmitting viral infections. But, they say if you do have to visit, wash your hands before you enter a patient room, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

They also urge avoid visiting hospital patients if you don’t feel well, and to sneeze either into your arm or shoulder, or into a tissue.

It’s likely that visitor restrictions are in place at other non-OSF hospitals as well, but you can check with the hospital first before going out.

CLICK HERE for more information about preventing the spread of the flu.  The CDC estimates as many as 23.6 million people in the U.S. having had the flu this season so far.

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