The sun is shining on this Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in Bellingham, WA. Our view over the bay is beautiful!

•  Sanitize their hands,
• All visitors to be healthy. Those with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, cough, sore throat or nasal congestion will have to come back when they’re no longer contagious.
• Visitors are to be at least 12 years old

 Additional restrictions for ICU, the Pediatric Unit and the Childbirth Center:

• Each patient will be limited to two adult visitors at a time.
• No visitor younger than 18 years of age will be allowed in these areas of the hospital.

Visitors, with children younger than 12, should not bring them to the hospital at all. In the past, children not allowed into patients’ rooms could stay in a waiting area. That no longer will be allowed. This is for the protection of both the patients and the youngsters, as young children are a high-risk group for this influenza.  

Visitors should expect to be asked if they’ve had flu-like symptoms in the past week; to sanitize their hands before entering; and to wear a mask, if told to do so.

The restrictions will last for the duration of the pandemic and the policy will change, as needed, to protect the needs of the patients, visitors and hospital staff.*

 *The Bellingham Herald, October 24, 2009, Swine flu changes hospital rules by Kie Relyea