Visiting Restrictions Lifted at Local Hospitals
March 1, 2010
Citing a substantial decline in the number of H1N1 flu cases, NorthBay Healthcare today lifted restrictions on young visitors in its hospitals in Vacaville and Fairfield.
"We have experienced a period of several weeks where the reported cases of H1N1 have been inconsequential," noted Daman Mott, director of infection control, for NorthBay Healthcare. While we aren't totally out of the woods and some risk still exists, especially among children who were not vaccinated, we are prepared to resume normal operations."
The visitor policy was changed in November to protect patients, staff and visitors when the Novel H1N1 flu pandemic was growing. Those under the age of 16 were precluded from visiting patients in NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville.
"At that time, we put the safety of the patients first, and the safety of those who were visiting a facility that had a growing number of patients with the flu," explained Dr. Donald Denmark, Vice President of Medical Affairs. "The current risk level no longer warrants the tight restrictions."
Still, the chief physician emphasized, "We implore anyone with any signs of the flu or any other illness to avoid visiting friends and family when possible."
According to Mott, there were three confirmed deaths due to H1N1 between September and December in 2009. During that time only 30 patients were isolated in the two hospitals.
"While we could experience another wave of H1N1 or seasonal flu, and are prepared to reinstate our emergency plans, we are fortunate this pandemic not as deadly as predicted," said Mott.
"There was tremendous collaboration between Solano County Public Health, NorthBay's staff and administration, and local citizens," Mott continued. "All were diligent in dealing with this pandemic. It was stressful and inconvenient at times because we had to take extreme precautions to limit the spread of the virus. I have no doubt the precautions prevented further fatalities."
