PEORIA – To protect their patients, family and staff during this time of heightened cases of flu and other upper respiratory illnesses, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and UnityPoint Health Methodist-Proctor are asking the public to limit visits. 

These guidelines are based on recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The guidelines are currently voluntary but may be changed as necessary to reflect community health concerns. 

During this time it is requested that:

•Visitors be at least 18 years of age and older. We hope to minimize exposure of our patients to children, who are known to be high risk for transmission of viral infections. Additionally, we want to protect children from contracting an illness while visiting the hospital. 

•Please do not visit hospitalized patients if you are not feeling well, particularly if you have had flu-like symptoms during the past seven days. Those symptoms include fever 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough, and/or sore throat.

•Remember to cough and/or sneeze into your arm or shoulder or use a tissue. The spread of germs can be reduced by coughing into your clothing. Avoid covering your mouth with your hands, as the germs can easily be passed through direct contact with surfaces or people.

To assist in limiting the spread of disease, please wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand foam/gel when entering and leaving a patient’s room.

Representatives for the hospitals said, “We are aware of the restrictive nature of these guidelines; however, we believe this voluntary request is in the best interest of our patients’ health and safety.”