The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WALLA WALLA – Providence St. Mary Medical has placed restrictions on visitors due to the widespread flu in the Walla Walla area.

Visitors must be either members of the immediate family or individuals age 18 or older.

An exception is in the Birth Center where healthy siblings under 18 may visit, but must report to the nurse’s station before proceeding to Mom’s room so they can be assessed and given masks to wear for the duration of the visit.

All patients are restricted to two visitors at a time in the hospital. This means two visitors, total, in the entire hospital building. The intent is to discourage large groups of people from being in the waiting rooms, cafeterias or other public areas of the hospital.

Visitors accompanying patients for Providence Medical Group clinic or diagnostic appointments who have a cough or influenza-like symptoms will be given a mask to wear, and are asked to use good hand hygiene to protect others.

The restrictions will remain in place until the incidence of flu declines in the community. Providence St. Mary appreciates the public’s help in the effort to reduce the spread of the disease.