Clara Maass Hospital: No Visiting Restrictions Due To Flu

BELLEVILLE, NJ — According to state Department of Health statistics, the number of flu cases in New Jersey have more than doubled this season, jumping from 1,507 in 2016-17 to 3,189 in 2017-18.

The number of flu cases has impacted the visitation policies at several New Jersey hospitals, some of which are screening every visitor — regardless of age — for cold or flu symptoms before they even walk in the door.

• See related article: Flu Cases Skyrocket In NJ (Find Out Where)
• See related article: As The Flu Rages, These NJ Hospitals Aren't Letting Kids Visit

So what’s the policy at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville? Chief Medical Officer Frank Mazzarella provided the following reply.

“Over the last three weeks, we have noted a slight increase in flu diagnoses compared to this time last year. We have not restricted our visitation policy, but for the safety of our patients, we are encouraging those who are visiting patients at Clara Maass Medical Center to wash their hands before entering a patient’s room and when they exit the patients’ room. For those who may be experiencing flu-like symptoms or other respiratory illnesses, we encourage them to visit another day or to use technology such as FaceTime, Skype or video chat applications to communicate with our patients.”

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