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Maryland hospitals limit visitor policies to combat the flu

Posted at 7:36 AM, Jan 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-30 07:36:31-05

This is one of the worst flu seasons we've seen in decades, and experts say it hasn't even peaked yet.

Now several hospitals in Maryland are taking extra steps to stop the spread of the virus, by limiting who can visit patients.

Anne Arundel Medical Center is asking people on its websiteto hold off visiting if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, and that children under the age of 12 should not visit.

The University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake is also making similar changes to its visitors policy at the Medical center in Bel Air, as well as at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace. No one with flu-like symptoms will be allowed in the hospitals. Also no one under 18 is allowed in to visit, unless they're a patient or the parent of a patient. If you have a doctor's appointment you are asked not to bring your children with you. And all other patients are only allowed two adult visitors at a time.

The CDC says Maryland is seeing high flu activity, as are most states in the country. The virus has already killed 37 children, and dozens of adults, including one person in Frederick.