BY JOHN REED LEADER EDITOR
Starke Memorial and Pulaski Memorial Hospitals Thursday announced restrictions on visitors to reduce the spread of flu in the hospitals.
Starke Memorial banned visitors under age 14, while Pulaski Memorial banned visitors under age 18.
“For the safety of loved ones in the hospital, and the medical professionals caring for them, Starke Memorial Hospital officials are strongly discouraging the visitation of individuals in the hospital effective immediately. Specifically, those ages 14 and under are not permitted to visit the hospital,” an SMH press release announced.

The SMH staff in Knox is working closely with the Starke County Department of Health on all prevention measures. “Prevention starts the minute you walk into Starke Memorial Hospital,” Nadine Wade, infection control coordinator, said. “Our hope is that by following these proactive measures regarding visitors, we will help prevent the spread of seasonal and H1N1 flu to patients and health care providers.”
Individuals 15 and older who feel it is necessary to visit a loved one in the hospital should be completely symptom-free of flu or cold-like conditions. This includes but is not limited to any of the following: Coughing, runny nose, sore throat, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
In addition, SMH staff set up four prevention stations including alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and facemasks for visitors. Front desk staff also has information posted and supplies available. Visitors may be asked to wear facemasks when appropriate.
SMH also advised that, unless it is an emergency, do not visit others or go to work if you are sick with the flu. If you think you need to see your doctor, please schedule an appointment or visit a walk-in clinic. It is best to not use the Emergency Department for flu care, as this puts others at risk in the hospital and increases wait times for those who are experiencing a true emergency. If you need a doctor to treat your flu symptoms, please see your health care provider.
For more information locally about flu vaccine, prevention and information, log on to www.co.starke.in.us and click on Starke County Health Dept. link.
Both hospitals’ announcements simply referred to the “flu,” including the H1N1 type flu. Monday, the Starke County Health Department said H1N1 cases had “increased significantly,” but did not give any numbers.
In Winamac, Pulaski Memorial announced, “Due to the high number of flu cases in our area, Pulaski Memorial Hospital is restricting visitors effective immediately.  By temporarily restricting hospital visitation, it will help protect our patients, their families, and the hospital staff.
These temporary restrictions on visitation include:
• Children younger than 18 are not permitted to visit. The exception would be if you are younger than 18, and are the parent of a child who is a patient.
• Only two visitors are allowed to see a patient at a time.
Pulaski Memorial asked that anyone who has flu or flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, headache, body aches, etc. or who have been exposed to someone with flu-like symptoms in the last seven days, not to visit the hospital.