More than a dozen hospitals in eastern New York have implemented visitation guidelines now that state health officials have declared the flu to be widespread and prevalent in the state.
Restrictions include a maximum of two visitors in a patient's room at any one time. Children 12 and under also are not allowed, as well as visitors with rash, diarrhea or respiratory symptoms. Those symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath.
Some 658 flu-related hospitalizations in New York have been reported so far this flu season. The Department of Health says cases of the flu have been confirmed in 39 counties and in all five boroughs of New York City.
