Indianapolis hospitals will temporarily restrict some visitors because of a spike in flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases.
Unless they are seeking care, people under the age of 18 and those experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose should stay away from hospitals, according to the Marion County Public Health Department.
The restrictions are indefinite, a spokesperson said. The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety, a nonprofit group of medical officers and local hospital representatives, will monitor weekly caseloads.
The restrictions will be in place for Community Health Network, Franciscan Health Indianapolis, Ascension St. Vincent, Indiana University Health and Eskenazi Hospital. To find out specifics about restrictions and when they begin, look at the hospital’s website or call ahead. You can also ask about exceptions.
At Franciscan Health hospitals, for example, restrictions begin Thursday, Dec. 21, including a rule that only two people per patient are allowed to visit at a time.
Dr. Virginia Caine, the county’s public health director, requested the visitor restrictions as Indianapolis faces a triple threat from respiratory viruses this winter.
At least 10 Hoosiers have died from the flu this year, including a child who was among four new deaths reported from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9. According to a release from Franciscan Health, the rate of influenza-like illness reported in patients at Marion County emergency departments this year is 4.63%.
Additionally, Indiana has seen 973 new COVID-19 cases in the last seven days, contributing to hospitalizations, emergency visits and at least five deaths.
Doctors at the children’s hospital at Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis have also spoken out about a recent increase in patients in their intensive care unit who have respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause severe illness or death for infants and seniors.
Caine recommends that everyone get vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19 to protect themselves and vulnerable groups. Vaccine locations can be found online. The RSV vaccine is also recommended for pregnant women and people 60 and older.
The CDC recommends masking, social distancing, washing hands and improving ventilation to stop the spread of respiratory viruses. People who feel sick should stay home if they are able.
Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
