Marion County hospitals, located in Indianapolis, are gearing up for the implementation of temporal visitor restrictions in response to heightening levels of flu and RSV incidences. According to the Marion County Health Department’s recent announcement, the rate of influenza-like illnesses accounted for in hospital emergency departments across the county has significantly surged. The majority affected by these escalating health adversities are children and infants aged between 0-17 years for the flu with RSV activity being prevalent amongst the 0-4 years demography.
These restrictions are slated to take effect the week commencing December 22, 2025. Under the provisions of these rules, hospitals will no longer admit visitors presenting symptoms of sudden fever, coughs, headaches, muscle and joint pains, sore throats, and a runny nose. Moreover, no visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed entry, although exceptions may be provided based on certain circumstances as decided by individual facilities.
The health institutions participating in these temporary restrictions include those under the Community Health Network, Franciscan Health Indianapolis, Ascension St. Vincent, Indiana University Health, and Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital. This move is aimed at safeguarding the most susceptible patients from respiratory viral infections. All guests visiting these facilities are encouraged to practice preventive healthcare measures such as washing hands and covering while sneezing and coughing to limit the spread.
Facilities will also provide masks for guests. The Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Marion County Public Health Department, Virginia A. Caine, M.D., underscore the importance of getting vaccinated against flu, RSV, and COVID-19. She further advised all pregnant women to take the flu vaccine, acting as a crucial layer of protection to avert substantial illness and hospitalization risk. Inspired by her advice, getting vaccinated doesn’t have an expiry date and should be considered by everybody. She recommends that women should receive a dose of Tdap vaccine between week 27 and 36 of their pregnancy. This vaccine effectively cuts down the risk of pertussis (whooping cough) in babies younger than 2 months old.
Source: https://wibc.com/816413/increase-in-flu-and-rsv-prompts-marion-county-hospital-visitor-restrictions/