With Flu Widespread, Bucks Hospitals Upping Precautions

In response to a widespread increase in the number of flu cases in Bucks County, a collaborative of local hospitals have implemented additional precautions at health care facilities throughout the county.

The Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership, a community health collaborative made up of six Bucks County hospitals, the Bucks County Department of Health and Bucks County Medical Society, says those who have flu-like symptoms should not visit family and friends who are hospitalized. However, if it is necessary, visitors with flu-like symptoms will be asked to wear masks.

Each hospital has masks available to visitors at the hospital entrances, according to information from Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership, which includes the following hospitals: Aria Health- Bucks County, Doylestown, Lower Bucks, St. Luke’s Quakertown, St. Mary and Grandview.

“The flu can be very serious, even deadly, for those at higher risk such as older adults, young children, pregnant woman and people with certain medical conditions,” according to information from the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership.

A Jan. 5 report by the Centers for Disease Control said 43 states, including Pennsylvania, are currently experiencing high flu activity.

Here are tips to avoid spreading the flu:

• Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap
• Cover nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing and wash hands
• If washing is not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer to cleanse hands
• Minimize time spent in crowded areas
• Stay home from work/school if you have flu-like symptoms