Beaufort Memorial is experiencing a high volume of patients with serious respiratory and flu-related health issues, which has resulted in longer than normal wait times and a larger than usual number of patients to the hospital.

As a result, the hospital has issued guidelines to assist the community in identifying the right course of action in the case of illness. In addition, the hospital is restricting visitation for the immediate future.

“Adults who are experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose, sore throat and fever, will be encouraged not to visit patients in the hospital,” said Kevin Kremer, Beaufort Memorial Emergency Department Director. “We are now restricting visitors under 18, as well as asking the community to limit hospital visits to one visit per patient. We hope that these precautions will prevent further spread of the flu and other viruses, and better enable us to care for those patients who most need to be in the hospital at this time.”

However, all patients (including children) experiencing signs of the following should seek immediate care from the emergency department:

•    Difficulty breathing
•    Chest or abdomen pain
•    Dizziness
•    Confusion
•    Severe vomiting
•    Fever with a rash (children)