Kids Banned From Hospitals Due To Flu Outbreak

ROYAL OAK, MI – Beaumont Health is prohibiting children under 13 years old from visiting the hospital due to the high volume of patients with respiratory viral illness, predominantly influenza, according to the hospital chain. The restriction is in place for all eight of its hospitals, it announced Friday afternoon.

Exceptions will be made for kids with parents or siblings suffering from severe illnesses or end-of-life situations, hospital officials said in a statement. The measure was taken for the safety of patients and staff, the officials said.

The directive covers Beaumont's hospitals in Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Taylor, Trenton, Troy and Wayne.

Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said influenza is widespread, the agency's highest level of concern, in at least 46 states. While there have been no deaths of children in Michigan, 20 influenza-associated deaths have been reported for the 2017-2018 season, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Across the state, 269 people, including 14 children, have been hospitalized with influenza-related illnesses, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Flu‐like symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle aches, chills and fatigue.

Image via Shutterstock