Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase in the United States. The proportion of people seeing their health care provider for influenza-like-illness increased sharply from last week and has been at or above the national baseline for three weeks so far this season. Several flu activity indicators are higher than is typically seen for this time of year.” Twelve states, including Mississippi, reported widespread flu activity.
Magnolia Regional Health Center (MRHC) hospital and clinics are seeing numerous cases of flu and influenza-like-illness. Higher numbers than usual are being reported this early in the flu season, which typically runs from October to March. With the holidays approaching, increased social activity may contribute to the spread of these illnesses. 
To protect our patients and to slow the spread of flu in the community, MRHC is immediately implementing a restricted visitation policy. Immediate family members of patients and pastoral care only should visit the hospital. No children age 12 or under will be allowed. Close relatives of terminally ill patients may be exempt, but they should restrict their visit to that individual only. Additionally, the hospital is asking those who have been ill recently, have fever or other symptoms, to not visit patients.
MRHC will continue to monitor trends of flu and influenza-like-illnesses and follow the recommendations of the CDC and the Mississippi State Department of Health.
