Health & Fitness
U Of C Hospital Restricts Visitor Access Over Flu Concerns
Starting Wednesday, the University of Chicago hospital won't allow children or anyone with flu-like symptoms to visit patients.
CHICAGO, IL — The University of Chicago hospital is restricting visitor access starting Wednesday. Children under 12 and anyone with flu-like symptoms won't be allowed to visit patients. The regulations aim to curb a spike in flu cases at the hospital.
Anyone with a fever, sore throat, nasal congestion or a runny nose won't be allowed to visit patients at the South Side hospital. U of C doctors said even the mildest of flu symptoms can have devastating effects on their patients, and spread rapidly.
Flu cases are on the rise across the state, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported one pediatric death as a result of the flu since October.
Find out what's happening in South Sidefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Since the start of flu season in October, the Illinois Department of Public Health has reported more than 60 people have been admitted to the intensive care unit due to influenza, a big spike from just a month ago when 27 ICU admissions were reported. The vast majority of those are patients age 65 and older.
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Find out what's happening in South Sidefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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