Effective immediately, area hospitals will returnto normal visiting policies. At Riverside Shore
Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, the normal visiting
policy restricts children 11 years of age and younger
from patient care areas. Children 12-15 years old who
are accompanied by an adult may visit patients, as may
visitors aged 16 and older.
According to the latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most states in the nation are no longer reporting any flu activity, and Virginia is reporting normal flu levels. In a shared interest of public safety, 18 area hospitals collectively restricted minors from visiting hospital patients in October 2009, to limit the spread of 2009 H1N1 flu. Medical evidence suggested children under 18 to be likely carriers of the illness. The restriction was put into place when 2009 H1N1 flu activity was widespread in the U.S. "I commend the hospitals and health systems in Hampton Roads for the extraordinary collaboration during this unique flu season to protect the community," says State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, MD, MBA.
Experts caution the community about relaxing personal preventative measures that limit the spread of flu and other communicable diseases.
The goal of area health care providers is to use every available and appropriate resource to protect patients from exposure to outside infections and illness. Area hospitals and public health officials will continue monitoring flu levels in the region and around the world for indications of increasing levels. In the event that flu levels rise again, area hospitals are prepared to implement the visitation restrictions in the best interest of public safety. Individuals experiencing flu-like illness are still asked not to visit area hospitals. The collaboration involved 18 area hospitals who stand ready to collaborate on any future public health concerns.
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