WOOD COUNTY (WAOW) -
If you're visiting Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids,
you might notice some new signs.
Hospital officials are limiting visitors.
Only healthy family members are allowed in.
"We have, based on recommendations from the Wisconsin
Department of Public Health, implemented some restrictions," said Stacey
Firkus, Riverview Hospital Infection Control Coordinator.
Riverview Hospital leaders said the severity of this flu
season makes the restrictions necessary.
"Last season, flu season didn't start until mid-February.
So, sharp increase, a lot earlier and it's hitting the patient population,"
said Firkus.
Hospital officials said the measure is meant to keep
patients safe.
"This is to protect not only their loved ones, but also
other patients in the facility, and, you know, our community members. If people
are sick, they really should be staying home and doing some self quarantine and
isolation," said Firkus.
But not all hospitals are taking the same approach.
Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield is not limiting
visitors.
"We don't want to say, ‘family only,' because sometimes
people have no family nearby, and a good friend acts as a family member," said
Terri Dums, Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital Infection Control Manager.
St. Joseph's officials said contact between patients and
close friends can help healing.
"I think we lose some of the benefits we see from having contact
with their loved ones or people they're concerned about," said Dums.
However, officials there do want to remind visitors to think
twice before coming to the hospital.
"We're advising people to think before they come, and not
come, certainly, if they're not healthy," said Dums.
Leaders from both hospitals say they're doing their best to
keep more people from getting sick. Both hospitals have set up hand sanitizing
stations and are offering visitors masks to protect patients.
