Jersey City Medical Center restricts visitation due to flu

JERSEY CITY — Jersey City Medical Center is temporarily limiting visitation in the hospital due to the rising number of flu cases in New Jersey.
Visitors under the age of 18 and those with signs of influenza-like illness will not be permitted to visit patients. This includes those in Labor and Delivery and Post-Partum.
“There has been a high incidence of flu in Hudson County,” said Vicki DeChirico, the hospital’s coordinator of infection control. “One theory behind this is that many residents of Jersey City and Hoboken travel by mass transit. As such, they are more exposed to people coughing or sneezing and, as a result, may be more susceptible to the flu. We’re being proactive here with the intent of helping prevent the spread of flu in the community.”
Additional staff, she said, is on duty to care for those who are sick. Special considerations will be made at the hospital in the case of emergency conditions.
In addition, the hospital has concern about the spread of a separate norovirus. This is a condition that is often accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms.
According to DeChirico, the flu shot is still effective in this point in the flu especially for those over the age of 65, those with a chronic health condition, and infants under the age of six months.
“If you show signs of the flu, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, wash your hands with soap and water frequently and stay home from work or school,” she said. “Consult your primary care provider for treatment, or visit one of our Health Stops (urgent care centers).”