York County region healthcare providers limit visitations amid SC flu activity
South Carolina continues to see widespread flu activity. As a result, several healthcare providers are limiting access to young visitors.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness.
Starting Monday, Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill will temporarily restrict access to anyone 12 years old and under due to the risk of flu, said Daisy Burroughs, spokesperson for Piedmont. Anyone with symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat are asked not to visit.
Piedmont saw a significant increase in the number of flu cases in 2019 compared to the same time last year, Burroughs said. Piedmont recorded 44 positive flu cases in December 2018 and 206 positive cases of the flu in December 2019.
“This year’s flu season is starting out atypically. There has been a strong uptick in Flu B cases early on versus at the end of the season in February and March,” Dr. Arash Poursina, infection disease specialist at Piedmont, said in a prepared statement. “It is important for everyone to do their part in reducing the spread of the flu by getting vaccinated, practice good hand hygiene and staying home if they are sick.”
Atrium Health began restricting access Wednesday to visitors 12 years old and under at all of its in-patient hospitals in the greater Charlotte area, according to a release from the healthcare provider. Atrium Health, previously Carolinas HealthCare System, has multiple locations in the region.
“The tighter restrictions are a result of the growing prevalence of flu cases in the region,” states the release.
Atrium Health’s restrictions follow those at Wake Forest Baptist Health, Caromont Health, Cone Health, Novant Health and Randolph Health, the release states.
“This unified response also helps better control the spread of flu throughout the region,” states the release.
Four flu-related deaths were reported in South Carolina from Dec. 22-Dec. 28, reports the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Since the start of the current flu season in September, 15 people have died in the state.
York, Lancaster and Chester County saw an increase in flu activity from Dec. 22-Dec. 28, reports DHEC.
Think you have the flu? Here is what to know:
- Common symptoms include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The CDC recommends everyone six months or older receive a flu vaccine each season.
- People at higher risk related to the flu include those 65 years and older, people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, women who are pregnant and children younger than five.
- To help prevent the spread of flu, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home if you are sick, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- People with mild illness should rest, drink fluids and take medication to treat minor pain or fever, according to Atrium Health. People with more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, vomiting or dehydration should contact their healthcare provider.
- For more information, visit cdc.gov/flu/.
This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 10:07 AM with the headline "York County region healthcare providers limit visitations amid SC flu activity."
