Carbondale Reporter

Due to a rise in flu cases, SIH hospitals will enforce temporary visitor restrictions starting February 6, 2025. The goal is to safeguard patients, families, and staff during the flu season.

Visitors must be at least 18 years old. Each patient can have no more than two visitors at once. Individuals with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat are advised not to visit.

Exceptions may apply for situations like end-of-life care and obstetric experiences. In these cases, visitors need approval from the patient's nurse and must undergo an evaluation to ensure they do not have flu-like symptoms.

Since October 1, 2024, SIH has reported 566 cases of Influenza A and one case of Influenza B across its hospitals and clinics. Between January 26 and February 1, 2025, there were 230 new cases of Influenza A.

This increase is consistent with data from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which indicates that the state's respiratory illness level has risen from moderate to high due to more emergency visits and hospital admissions for flu-related issues.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, IDPH Director, advises high-risk groups—such as seniors, young children, people with chronic conditions, and immunocompromised individuals—to take precautions against flu exposure. He highlights that antiviral medications work best when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset.

To curb the spread of illness, masks and hand sanitizers are available at all SIH hospital entrances and throughout their facilities.