SPRINGFIELD. Ill. (WAND) — Beginning Dec. 27, Memorial Health is putting temporary visitor restrictions in place at its five hospitals to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses.Â
The Illinois Department of Public Health recommended temporary visitor restrictions due to a statewide increase in respiratory illness including COVID-19, influenza and RSV.
According to IDPH, whooping cough cases are also on the rise with more than 1,900 confirmed and probable pertussis cases in Illinois this year.
"We're starting to see the respiratory illness activity in general in Illinois going from what we thought was low to now a moderate level. So this is based on the CDC estimate where they're looking at the wastewater levels of COVID, RSV and flu in Illinois, as well as the emergency department levels. And we are all seeing all the COVID, flu, and RSV trend up," said Dr. Arti Barnes, Chief Medical Director for IDPH.
The restrictions apply to inpatient units at all five Memorial Health hospitals:
Decatur Memorial Hospital
Jacksonville Memorial Hospital
Lincoln Memorial Hospital
Springfield Memorial Hospital
Taylorville Memorial Hospital
The restrictions won't apply to outpatient Memorial Care locations, like urgent or primary care and laboratory or imaging appointments.
Memorial Health requires that hospital visits be limited to two visitors per patient at one time, and that all visitors be 18 years of age or older and show no signs of illness.
Masks are encouraged but not required. Disposable masks will be available for visitors upon entry.
To help prevent the spread of illness, Memorial Health has asked visitors to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, wash their hands frequently, receive all recommended vaccinations and wear masks around others.
Most people who suffer from respiratory illness recover completely in one to two weeks, but some people develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, according to the IDPH.
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