SEYMOUR, Ind. – Schneck Medical Center in Seymour has implemented visitor restrictions, effective Saturday, January 13, to help protect patients, staff, and the community from the spread of respiratory illnesses including influenza, RSV, and COVID.
No more than two visitors may be admitted to a patient’s room at one time. Visitors include immediate family and significant others as identified by the patient. All visitors must wash their hands (soap and water) or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after visiting a patient.
“We’ve seen an increase in patients with respiratory illness symptoms prompting us to implement visitor restrictions,” said Schneck Infection Preventionist Natalie Wiethoff.
Anyone can get a respiratory illness and anyone at any age can develop serious problems. Respiratory illnesses can be mild to severe and can lead to death. Visitors with respiratory illnesses are not permitted to visit patients.
Anyone with the following symptoms is asked to refrain from visiting patients:
- Fever and/or chills
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
Ways to prevent respiratory illnesses:
- Get vaccinated for the flu, COVID, and/or RSV (if advised by your physician)
- Avoid close contact with others who are sick
- If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Wiethoff urged the community, “If you are experiencing respiratory illness symptoms, please seek medical attention. If you are sick and are not getting better, contact your healthcare provider for further treatment.”
