APPLETON, Wis. — ThedaCare says children under the age of 12 will temporarily not be allowed to visit patients in all seven ThedaCare hospitals. The health provider says this temporary visitor restriction is to prevent the spread of flu.
The restriction takes effect Wednesday, February 6. It does not apply to outpatient or clinic services.
ThedaCare says siblings are an exception to the rule. Siblings who don't have cold or flu symptoms may visit the OB unit.
1/2 In an effort to prevent the spread of the flu & protect the health of patients, families and staff, ThedaCare leaders are announcing visitor restrictions. Beginning on Feb. 6, children under the age of 12 will temporarily not be allowed to visit patients in all 7 hospitals. pic.twitter.com/JxPJHq23D8
— ThedaCare (@ThedaCareHealth) February 6, 2019
In a news release, ThedaCare cites numbers from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services, which says 379 people died from the flu during the 2017-2018 flu season, including three children. ThedaCare says the number of recorded deaths was twice as many as the year before.
ThedaCare says the temporary restriction will take effect at hospitals in Appleton, Neenah, Shawano, New London, Waupaca, Berlin and Wild Rose.
ThedaCare did not offer a specific date for when the restriction would be lifted, but staff will assess the situation as new information about flu season becomes available.
2/2 This does not apply to outpatient or clinic services. One exception to the restriction is siblings, who do not have cold or flu symptoms, may visit the OB unit. We continue to encourage the community to protect patients from exposure by not visiting unless necessary.
— ThedaCare (@ThedaCareHealth) February 6, 2019
