Detroit Medical Center Restricting Visitors As Flu Cases Rise

DETROIT — The Detroit Medical Center is changing its visitor policies as flu cases rise in Michigan, according to a statement from the hospital.

Starting Monday, the hospital - including the Children’s Hospital of Michigan - is restricting visitations "for the health and safety of our patients, their families and the community," amid a "period of increased influenza activity in the community," according to the statement.

The new guidelines include:

• All patients are allowed up to two visitors at one time.
• Visitors under the age of 12 (including siblings and other relatives) are not allowed on inpatient hospital floors or in observation units.
• Visitors 13 and older, who have a fever, cough or rash are asked to choose another time to visit. This applies to both private and semi-private rooms.
• Visitors who exhibit illness or cold symptoms are encouraged to visit during a period of wellness.

Any hospital that already has more restrictive policies will continue instead of the new guidelines, according to the statement.

Last week, three Beaumont hospitals in the metro Detroit area announced they were restricting visitors to pediatric units due to a rise in respiratory illnesses.