SUNNYSIDE -- To help prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu to pregnant women and babies, Sunnyside Community Hospital is restricting visits to its family birthing center.
No one under age 14 and no ill visitors will be allowed in the wing until further notice, according to a hospital memo.
The memo called the flu an "epidemic" in the community.
Hospital spokesman Tom Lathen said Wednesday that the emergency department is seeing 40 percent to 45 percent more patients than the same time a year ago. Most of them have "flulike" symptoms, Lathen said.
Hospitals and clinics typically do not test every patient with those symptoms, but health officials say most cases are probably caused by the H1N1 virus, often called swine flu.
Infants are at a high risk of getting sick from the virus because they are too young to be immunized, Lathen said.
Both Yakima hospitals, Yakima Valley Memorial and Yakima Regional Cardiac and Medical Center, imposed visitor restrictions Monday.
Patients are allowed only two visitors at a time throughout the hospital.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children are more susceptible to the seasonal flu and H1N1 and are more likely than adults to be contagious before they experience symptoms.
Similar stories:
Sunnyside hospital CEO set to retire after 50 years in health care
Sunnyside hospital CEO set to retire after 50 years in health care
SUNNYSIDE -- Jon Smiley, CEO of Sunnyside Community Hospital, will retire in March.
The 75-year-old has worked for more than 50 years in hospital administration in the state, and as the CEO in Sunnyside since 1992, said hospital spokesman Tom Lathen.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time," Smiley said, adding that he will continue to live in the Yakima Valley with his wife, Mary.
Officials say flu season begun in Grant County
Officials say flu season begun in Grant County
Grant County health officials reported Friday that flu season officially has arrived.
The county's health district has received 13 reports of positive influenza lab tests, and believe that may indicate a wider spread flu outbreak.
"While 13 positive tests may not seem like many, health care providers are not required to report all positive flu tests," said Shawta Sackett, community public health manager and epidemiologist. "Not every patient who is seen in a clinic for flu will be tested and we know many people do not visit their health care provider when they are sick with the flu."
Two Grandview medical clinics plan to merge
Two Grandview medical clinics plan to merge
GRANDVIEW -- Two medical practices in Grandview owned by Sunnyside Community Hospital will merge next month.
Birch Street Medical Center will close and merge with Grandview Medical Center some time in early February.
Hospital administrators, still working out details, have not decided how many people will be laid off, said Tom Lathen, a hospital spokesman.
AH-CHOO!: Grant County officials seeing rising flu cases
AH-CHOO!: Grant County officials seeing rising flu cases
Grant County health officials reported Friday that flu season officially has arrived.
The county’s health district has received 13 reports of positive influenza lab tests, and believe that may indicate a wider spread flu outbreak.
“While 13 positive tests may not seem like many, health care providers are not required to report all positive flu tests,” said Shawta Sackett, community public health manager and epidemiologist. “Not every patient who is seen in a clinic for flu will be tested and we know many people do not visit their health care provider when they are sick with the flu.”
Mexico health sec: Swine flu way up after low year
Mexico health sec: Swine flu way up after low year
Swine flu is back in Mexico, the epicenter of a world pandemic three years ago that panicked people around the globe.
Print
Email Story
