Editor’s note: The following press release was sent to us late Tuesday when most of the Courier pages had already gone to press.
Due to the high number of flu cases in the area, Liberty Regional Medical is taking every precaution to protect patients, nursing home residents, visitors and employees, according to a press release.
In doing so, the organization is implementing visitor restrictions as follows:
• Individuals under the age of 18 may not visit patients admitted to the Medical Surgical Department or Perinatal Services (Labor & Delivery).
• Patients may only receive two visitors at a time in the Emergency Department.
• Please only bring children if they are in need of treatment.
• Individuals that feel sick or have flu-like symptoms should not visit patients.
These symptoms may include the following: Fever (100 degrees or more), cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle, joint or body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
In addition, the organization has implemented the following restrictions for its Coastal Manor Long Term Care facility:
• Individuals under the age of 18 may not visit residents.
• Individuals that feel sick or have flu-like symptoms should not visit residents.
To help prevent the spread of the flu, we encourage the public to please wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, cover your coughs and sneezes with a mask or tissue, and receive the flu vaccine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), vaccination of those who are high risk is especially important to decrease the risk of contracting the flu. Those considered high risk include young children, pregnant women, those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease as well as those over the age of 65.
In addition, those who live with or care for the high risk should be vaccinated.
Also according to the CDC, everyone 6 months of age and older should receive a flu vaccine every year prior to the start of flu season.
However, if you have not yet received the vaccine, it is not too late.