Hospital Visits are Limited Due to Flu virus

When it comes to the flu, most people tell you to stay away from people and cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Well sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't.

The Lansing State Journal says that Lansing area hospitals are limiting some, if not all, visitors to their facilities as the flu epidemic increases across Michigan.

McLaren Greater Lansing has restricted visitors to its hospital, but Sparrow hospitals are for now only limiting visitors to units treating children.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services logged a recent increase in flu cases, prompting the agency to upgrade the state to a widespread outbreak.

McLaren has had 348 positive flu cases since November, 31 of which required hospitalization. McLaren began restricting visitors temporarily in December.

Sparrow's hospitals have seen an increase in flu cases this year but did not have specific numbers of cases available.

Sparrow has only restricted visitors to any child related units. That includes delivery and maternity units, pediatric centers, and neonatal intensive care units.