Madera Community Hospital reducing patient visitation due to spike in flu diagnoses

MADERA COUNTY (KFSN) -- Hospitals across the valley are limiting visitors and posting warnings as flu season hits its annual peak.

The ER and walk-in clinics at Madera Community Hospital have been packed with patients. Nearly half of them claiming to have flu-like symptoms. That's why the hospital put in place new restrictions Friday.

Signs prohibiting children and visitors with respiratory conditions are posted inside hospitals across the Valley. An annual policy that kicks into place as influenza cases mount across the country.

Dr. Bakht Roshan from the Madera Community Hospital said, "We are seeing a lot of flu patients and unfortunately at lot them are elderly."

Dr. Roshan says getting your flu shot continues to be your best protection.

Cases are likely to remain high until March. The vaccine can help reduce the severity of symptoms if you do catch the virus.

Sara Bosse of the Madera County Department of Health said, "If you think of the flu shot like a library, each year you add another book to your library and your best protection against the flu is when your library is complete."

Even though, California is reporting high flu activity. So far, there are no hospitalizations in Madera or Fresno County.

Healthcare leaders are hoping to keep it that way.

"Less people getting infected means less people are at risk of getting an infection," Dr. Roshan said.

The best way to protect from getting the flu is by washing your hands. All the employees here at the hospital have to go through a test.

The Madera Community Hospital does offer free supervised child care in their Children's Visitor Center for parents visiting patients at the hospital.

The Children's Visitor Center is open Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and is located near the Family Health Services Clinic. For Center information call (559) 675-5402.