Local hospitals implement visitor restrictions due to rise of flu cases

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Memorial Health, St. Joseph’s and Candler hospitals have all implemented visitor restrictions due to a high level of flu cases in Georgia.

The Center for Disease Control lists Georgia as one of the sickest states in the country. As of last week, more than 300 people have been sent to the hospital by the flu this flu season.

Memorial Health implemented the restrictions this week. St. Joseph’s and Candler implemented visitor restrictions just before Christmas.

Here are the visitor restrictions for St. Joseph’s/Candler:

• Do not visit any St. Joseph’s/Candler patient if you have any signs or symptoms of influenza. 
• Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to visit any patients at St. Joseph’s/Candler.
• Those under the age of 18 cannot visit patients at the Telfair Birthplace at Candler Hospital unless they are the primary caretaker. 
• Only children seeking treatment should come to the hospitals.
• Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to wait for family in any waiting area.
• Patients can only receive two visitors at a time, except the Emergency Department where one visitor is allowed.

Below are the current guidelines at Memorial Health:

• Individuals who are experiencing cold symptoms should not enter patient care areas at Memorial. All visitors should be healthy. No one with flu-like symptoms will be permitted in patient rooms. Flu-like symptoms include fever, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, or upset stomach.
• Anyone coming into the hospital with flu or cold symptoms should wear a mask. Masks will be available for those who need them.
• Family members and guests 18 years of age and under will not be allowed to visit patients. Special consideration for sibling visits will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if there are no symptoms.

Flu season started on Sept. 30. Since then, Georgia’s health department has recorded 306 flu patients in hospitals. And there have been 15 outbreaks around the state.

South Carolina, meanwhile, has seen 227 hospitalizations.

The CDC lists both states as having “high” activity, with Georgia at the highest level a state can be.

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