Mar. 9--Hospitals have called off a ban on visitors younger than 18.
Since mid-October, local hospitals have prohibited visitors younger than 18 as a precaution to help prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza. Hospitals announced they're reinstating normal visiting policies, effective today.
The latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that most states are reporting no flu activity, and Virginia is reporting normal flu levels, health officials said.
Local hospitals joined others across the nation in prohibiting people younger than 18 from visiting hospitals because H1N1 was largely affecting children and young adults. The ban went into place when H1N1 flu activity was widespread in the U.S.
The policy did not apply to patients younger than 18, and some exceptions were possible for fathers of newborns.
Area hospitals and public health officials will continue monitoring flu levels and are prepared to call for the restrictions again.
Individuals experiencing flu-like illness are still asked not to visit area hospitals.
Participating hospitals included Riverside Health System, Sentara Healthcare, Bon Secours Hampton Roads, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.
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