{"id":45284,"date":"2015-01-20T18:00:18","date_gmt":"2015-01-20T23:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=45284"},"modified":"2020-12-16T19:13:04","modified_gmt":"2020-12-17T00:13:04","slug":"hospitals-lift-visitor-restrictions-flu-cases-drop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2015\/01\/20\/hospitals-lift-visitor-restrictions-flu-cases-drop\/","title":{"rendered":"Hospitals lift visitor restrictions as flu cases drop"},"content":{"rendered":"

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News release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health:<\/p>\n

Hospitals lift visitor restrictions as flu cases drop<\/strong><\/p>\n

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(January 20, 2015) – Effective immediately, Allen County hospitals are lifting visitor restrictions put in place last month to guard against the flu.<\/p>\n

For the safety of patients and staff over the last four weeks, the hospitals have been limiting patient visits to two visitors per patient at one time and only visitors who are at least 18 years of age. Flu cases are on the decline and are now at a typical level for this time of year. As a result, the general house-wide restrictions are no longer necessary, although local hospitals will continue to reserve the right to maintain temporary restrictions in some high-risk areas such as NICUs on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while these temporary restrictions were in place,” says Dr. Deborah McMahan, Allen County Health Commissioner. “While it was a sacrifice for both patients and hospital staff, we believe these efforts helped to reduce transmission of respiratory illnesses during a period of heightened flu activity.”<\/p>\n

While the visitor restrictions have ended, it doesn’t mean residents should drop their guard against flu. Seasonal flu activity will likely continue for several more weeks with the potential for a second wave. So far in the 2014-15 season, eight people in Allen County have died from flu and its complications.
\nResidents should continue to take the following precautions:<\/p>\n