50 Hoosiers Have Died From The Flu This Winter, Memorial Hospital Keeps Visitation Restrictions In Place

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR

JASPER -- The Indiana Department of Health says 50 Hoosiers have now died from the flu this winter.

That's five more than last week. 10 of those deaths have been in Marion County alone.

Memorial Hospital in Jasper continues to implement visitation restrictions due to the flu.  They say that will be in place for the foreseeable future.  

The Dubois County Health Department reminds you it’s not too late to get the flu vaccine.

Read more about the visitation restrictions at Memorial Hospital below.....

In response to the ongoing high influenza cases nationwide and in the Tri-State area, the hospital members of the Community Patient Safety Coalition have decided to continue the unified hospital visitation restrictions for the foreseeable future. 

The restrictions include:

• No visitors with influenza-like symptoms in the hospitals. Symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, chills, aches, runny or stuffy nose, and vomiting or diarrhea.
• No visitors under the age of 15.
• No visitors other than immediate family or other significant persons as defined by the patient.

Visitors are encouraged to wash their hands frequently while in the hospital and wear protective face masks when instructed. Exceptions to these restrictions may be made for cases involving critically ill patients and end-of-life situations and in some cases healthy family members of newborns. These restrictions were developed using recommendations from the Vanderburgh County Health Department.

The flu can cause serious complications and even death, especially in the very young, the elderly, and those with certain existing medical conditions. These measures are being taken in an effort to protect patients, families, and hospital staff. We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation.

Community Patient Safety Coalition Hospitals Include:

Daviess Community Hospital

Deaconess Health System

Evansville Surgery Center

Gibson General Hospital

Good Samaritan Hospital

Encompass Health Deaconess Rehabilitation

Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center, Jasper, IN

Methodist Health, Henderson, KY

Select Specialty Hospital

St. Vincent Evansville

St. Vincent Warrick

St. Vincent Orthopedic Hospital

The Women’s Hospital