These SC hospitals to ban children from visiting patients soon. Here’s when and why
Prisma Health plans to restrict children from visiting patients at its South Carolina hospitals because of high flu rates starting Wednesday, Jan. 15.
The nonprofit healthcare company, which has multiple hospitals in the Palmetto State, will prevent all children 16 years old and under from entering its facilities for patient visits for the foreseeable future, a press release states. However, exceptions may be made by the attending physician and local leadership, Prisma Health states.
“By taking this proactive best-practice step, we can ensure our hospitals remain safe places for our patients to receive high-quality care,” Jacie Volkman, executive director of Prisma’s Department of Infection Prevention, said in the press release.
Hospital officials also asked that residents not visit patients if they have a fever, have tested positive for any respiratory illness, or are suspected of having one. It’s recommended that all visitors wear masks to reduce the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
To view all Prisma Health locations, click here.
Seasonal flu rates
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seasonal influenza activity continues to increase and is elevated across much of the U.S. There have been at least 5.3 million flu illnesses, 63,000 hospitalizations, and 2,700 deaths so far this season in the U.S. — including at least 11 children, the CDC states.
South Carolina
South Carolina has been reporting widespread flu activity for weeks.
According to the CDC, influenza activity levels in South Carolina are very high — only four other states share the same rating. Also, there are only four states with even high flu activity levels.
There were 3,061 lab-confirmed tests reported the week of Dec. 29 through Jan. 4, the latest data available as of Tuesday, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health. That’s an increase over the 2,179 lab-confirmed tests reported a week earlier and the 869 confirmed tests reported two weeks before.
As of the latest report, there have been 10,590 lab-confirmed tests so far this flu season.
The data shows that statewide, 8.2% of patient visits to healthcare providers were for flu-like illness, higher than the state’s 3.2% baseline — the flu-like activity level overall was high, DPH says.
Also for the week of Dec. 29, there were 356 influenza-associated hospitalizations reported by 54 hospitals. Again, that was a sizable jump from the 146 influenza-associated hospitalizations reported a week before and the 79 reported two weeks earlier.
There have been 1,047 flu-associated hospitalizations in the state to date this season.
And there have been eight influenza-associated deaths in the state this season so far.
Ways to reduce spread of flu
The CDC recommends these methods to reduce the spread of the flu.
- Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put tissue in the trashing after using it, then perform hand hygiene such as washing your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
