Residents need to take precautions when they feel symptoms of respiratory virus coming on. Doing so isn’t just self-care. It also limits transmission of COVID, flu and RSV viruses.
That’s especially important right now. A surge of respiratory virus spreading in the community has led Columbus Regional Health to restrict hospital visitations, and that’s a sign that there is likely a wider virus outbreak to come.
As of Monday, CRH limited hospital visitors to two per patient at the same time.
“Those with symptoms including cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, diarrhea, tiredness, headache or vomiting are not allowed to visit and will be asked to leave. Visitors may be asked to wear a mask in patient rooms if requested,” The Republic reported of CRH’s general limitations on visits.
These restrictions on visitors were not really a surprise. About two weeks ago, Franciscan Health in Indianapolis and Community Health locations in Indianapolis had issued similar restrictions as cases in those areas rose. CRH didn’t do so at that time, because the community spread just before Christmas didn’t appear significant enough to warrant restrictions on visitors, which can be difficult for patients and their loved ones.
But CRH spokeswoman Kelsey DeClue said at that time that CRH was “monitoring our inpatient numbers on a rolling seven-day period and have identified a threshold that if met consistently for those seven days, would institute a change in universal precautions.”
At that time, she said, “We continue to see high circulation of respiratory viruses, especially flu, RSV in children and adults and COVID, so we highly encourage those at high risk to mask and of course anyone with signs of illness to stay home, seek treatment when necessary and mask when in public,” DeClue added.
Now that the number of inpatient viral cases have triggered visitation restrictions, it’s up to people in the community to do their part to limit transmission of respiratory viruses to the greatest extent possible. As DeClue said, if you’re ill, staying at home after receiving any necessary treatment and limiting contact with others is just common sense.
When it comes to preventing community spread of respiratory virus, the old advice is still the best advice. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Wash your hands frequently. Social distance when possible in public. Consider wearing a mask in public to protect yourself and others from airborne virus.
With the holidays over, we may be seeing increases in respiratory illnesses because so many people joined family and friends for extended periods indoors. Likewise, these cold-weather months are when respiratory viruses are at their peak.
It’s crucial to be aware of your health and the health of those around you, and it’s also wise to be aware of the level of community spread of respiratory virus. Right now, precautions are the doctor’s orders.
