ECRMC restricts visit to patients due to flu season

El Centro Regional Medical Center is taking steps to prevent the spread of flu to its patients by restricting visitations starting Wednesday.

ECRMC Chief Nursing Officer Louise Kenney said anyone with flu-like symptoms or under the age of 16 should not visit loved ones at the hospital. It is recommended that they don’t accompany others who have appointments at clinics or need to go to the emergency room. Kenney said currently there’s an increase of patients with flu-like symptoms and the illness is highly contagious.

She said flu conditions can worsen if not treated properly.

“It can for vulnerable populations like elderly, babies, children, people who have compromised immune systems. It certainly can lead to very serious conditions. Flu is very contagious, and so once someone is found to have flu it can spread pretty fast with touching of patients,” Kenney said.

The visitation restrictions will be in place from January till March.