GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- 11 people have died in Wisconsin due to complications from influenza, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said Friday.
In a statement, DHS says Wisconsin has seen 459 hospitalizations for influenza this season, more than three times as many than at this time last year.
Visitor restrictions are now in place at all HSHS – Eastern Wisconsin Division hospitals as a response to the increase in flu cases. This affects HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay; HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan; and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.
The restrictions include:
- No visitors under the age of 12 in inpatient areas
- No visitors of any age with flu-like symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, vomiting or diarrhea
- Try to limit the number of healthy visitors to 1 or 2 people per patient
These restrictions and guidelines are not in place for a pediatric patient coming to one of the HSHS hospitals for an outpatient appointment.
Health officials say it's not too late to get a flu shot. The flu vaccine finder will help you locate a pharmacy near you that is providing flu shots.
