Jacie Volkman, Executive Director of Infection Prevention at Prisma Health, emphasizes the centrality of preventive measures to maintain the safety of their healthcare facilities. This proactive approach is essential to furnishing a secure environment for patients to continue receiving superior healthcare. Prisma Health could potentially consider exceptions, particularly in life’s final hours. The organization typically iterates its visitation procedures during winter due to the escalated flu rates and anticipates reinstating normal visitation once the illness rates decline in their surrounding communities.
Prisma Health operates 19 acute and specialty hospitals, 320 practice sites, and delivers care to over 1.6 million patients across South Carolina and Tennessee. This season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that flu has affected at least 4.6 million, resulting in 49,000 hospitalizations and over 1,900 fatalities. The flu has also claimed three children’s lives. As a preventive strategy, the CDC suggests that individuals above the age of 6 months who have not yet received the influenza vaccine should do so. This season, approximately 130 million influenza vaccine doses have been distributed.
As of December 23, a measles outbreak was reported in Spartanburg County with 159 confirmed cases. The outbreak, confirmed by the health department in October, comprised cases stemming from direct contact and travel, as well as cases with unidentified sources. This situation indicates that measles are active within the community, increasing the disease’s potential to spread further. The health department in South Carolina has witnessed rapid transmission of measles amongst unvaccinated households and also indicates potential for spread in unvaccinated communities, referencing outbreaks from other states.