Due to increased rates of community influenza and other respiratory illnesses, Prisma Health will restrict anyone age 15 and younger from visiting hospitalized patients in its hospitals as of Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The temporary visitor restriction is needed to help protect patients and team members during this time of higher-than-normal flu infection rates. The measure will also help protect vulnerable patients from infection by measles, which is still surging in the Upstate.
“By taking this proactive step, we can help ensure our hospitals remain safe places for our patients to receive high-quality care,” said Jacie Volkman, executive director of Prisma’s Department of Infection Prevention. Exceptions may be allowed for circumstances such as the imminent death of a loved one, she added…