© 2024
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
An update has been released for the Android version of the WAMC App that addresses performance issues. Please check the Google Play Store to download and update to the latest version.

Hospitals Implement Flu-Fighting Guidelines

CDC

Visitation guidelines have been implemented at Capital Region hospitals to combat flu.

With New York among 16 states reporting widespread flu activity, upstate hospitals have posted guidelines for visitors to help protect patients. Rebecca O'Donnell is Albany Medical Center's director of epidemiology

“No visitors under the age of 12. Particularly because children are more likely to carry viruses. They're heavily exposed in the school setting and so forth. No visitors with cold respiratory or flu like symptoms will be allowed and no more than two visitors in a patient room at a time.”

All visitors are being urged to use hand washing stations before and after leaving patients rooms. O'Donnell adds it's never too late to get a flu shot.

  • Hospitals implementing the restrictions include Albany Med; Columbia Memorial Health; Saratoga Hospital; Ellis Medicine, including Ellis Hospital and Bellevue Woman’s Center; St. Peter’s Health Partners acute care hospitals including Albany Memorial Hospital, Samaritan Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital; St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam; and Nathan Littauer Hospital. Glens Falls Hospital implemented restrictions last week. 

Some hospitals have special care units or physical layouts which may have additional visitation restrictions or modifications. People wishing to visit specialty care units or birthing centers are encouraged to call their local hospital to clarify their visitation policies.
 

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
Related Content