UTICA, N.Y. – In order to protect our patients from the flu and other illnesses, visitor restrictions have been put in place for the Maternity, Nursery and Pediatric Units at the St. Luke’s Campus and for the Pediatric Department at the St. Elizabeth Campus of the Mohawk Valley Health System. Maternity, Nursery and Pediatrics patients are at greater risk of complications from the flu. Therefore, only parents, grandparents and birthing coaches may visit at this time.
The hospitals ask that you not visit if you feel ill with any type of upper respiratory problem. Please stay home and delay your visit to keep yourself and the patients and residents safe.
The best protection against contracting influenza includes:
- · Frequent and thorough hand washing.
- · Covering all coughs and sneezes. If you don’t have a handkerchief or a tissue use the crook of your arm not your hand.
- · Staying home from work, school, or social events if you have a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and pains or other symptoms like nausea or vomiting sometimes associated with influenza.
- · Avoiding people exhibiting symptoms of a flu-like illness.
If you have flu-like symptoms and they are severe and persistent you should contact your healthcare provider.
The hospitals practice “Respiratory Etiquette” in their Emergency Departments, Urgent Cares and Primary Care Medical Offices. Each waiting area has masks for patients to wear to cover their cough, tissues and hand sanitizer for good hand hygiene. If you seeking treatment and have any flu-like symptoms with upper respiratory problems, you will be asked to wear a mask and may be isolated from other patients.
Media Contact
Lindsay Mogle
Communications Specialist
315-624-5602
lmogle@mvhealthsystem.org