Flu season has arrived.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, this year’s influenza outbreak has reached epidemic levels and experts say it has reached it unusually early in the season.
In Oregon and Southwest Washington, as well as here at Legacy Health, there has been an increase in flu-related hospitalizations. Last week, nearly one-third of all people tested at Legacy facilities were positive for the flu.
In response to increased hospitalizations of patients with the flu, Legacy Health has decided to implement the following visitor restrictions immediately:
• No more than 2 visitors per patient at one time
• Hospital visitors ages 18 and younger are limited to immediate family members only
Health officials remind area residents that the flu season lasts for months, not weeks. There is still time to get vaccinated in order to help protect yourself and your loved ones.
