Hospitals relax visitor policy for children
If you have to spend the holidays in the hospital, at least you'll be able to receive young visitors.
Mary Washington Hospital and three other facilities in the area have relaxed their "Level Yellow" visitor policy as the number of people with flu-like symptoms has declined. The "Level Green" policy now in effect allows for visitors under 18.
The change also applies to Stafford Hospital Center, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Fredericksburg and the Freestanding Emergency Department in Spotsylvania County.
"Green" is the least restrictive of three visitor options. It allows for visiting by all healthy people. Those who are sick may be barred. Visitors also may be asked to wear masks or other protective clothing.
The hospitals adopted the more restrictive Level Yellow on Oct. 28 in the midst of what was later identified as the second wave of H1N1, or swine flu, cases. The restrictive policy was in effect for about five weeks before being lifted Dec. 3.
Officials will continue to monitor indicators and may return to Level Yellow if the number of people sick with the flu jumps again after the first of the year.
--Jim Hall