MASON CITY, IA - Mercy Medical Center North Iowa is restricting who can visit patients at the Mason City campus. Doctors want to prevent the spread of H1N1 Flu Virus in the hospital.
They are no longer allowing people ages 18 and younger to visit patients, and they're asking you stay home if you have respiratory or influenza-like symptoms. Only parents and grandparents are allowed in the Birth Center and Pediatric Units. All other patients can only have their significant other, parents, and two additional visitors at a time.
Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Paul Manternach explained, "I know people want to demonstrate concern they have for our patients by coming and visiting them, but at this particular time the best thing to do would be stay home, and avoid potentially exposing your loved ones or our patients to an infectious disease."
Dr. Manternach expects the restrictions to last at least until March, or the end of the flu season.
