Wellstar MCG Health Adjusts Visitation Policy
Wellstar MCG Health says an adjusted family visitation policy went into effect Tuesday due to a spike in the number of flu and respiratory illnesses being reported.
Under the new visitation guidelines, children under the age of 18 may not visit higher than the second floor of either the main hospital or Children’s Hospital of Georgia, or in patient care areas unless they are patients or have an appointment within the hospital.
Some Exceptions to the New Guidelines:
- Children under the age of 18 who are cleared to be above the second floor receive a blue sticker at hospital entrances.
- Playrooms are closed and group activities have been postponed in the Children’s Hospital
- Labor and Delivery have limited visitation times for siblings until this guidance is lifted. Siblings under 18 years old who have been medically screened and do not have symptoms may visit their mother and new sibling in the mother’s room between 3 pm and 6 pm. They may not stay overnight and siblings will need to be screened each day before visiting.
- Children may attend clinic appointments as usual.
- Hand washing and masking are recommended.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s seen a real surge in flu activity in the state in recent weeks. Georgia and most of the Southeast are reporting very high level of flu activity, which is a bit early. “What we typically see is flu starting after the winter break, usually in January and early February, so this is a little bit of an early start to the flu season, which is unusual for us,” said Dr. Andi Shane, medical director of hospital epidemiology at Children’s Heathcare of Atlanta.
It’s Not Too Late to Get a Flu Shot
It’s not too late for anyone to get a flu shot, says Shane. Parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated against flu, Covid and RSV, especially now that they are back in the classroom around other children who could be spreading the viruses.
Flu Activity is Very High in South Carolina
South Carolina continues to rank in the very category for flu cases in the state, according to the CDC.
Department of Health and Human Services Lead Medical Consultant Dr. Martha Buchanan says health officials expect to see an increase in flu and COVID cases from illnesses spread during holiday gatherings.
