Ballad Health requiring masking for team members as flu cases continue to rise

All Ballad Health facilities will require masking for team members and allied healthcare providers in patient care areas and during any patient interactions, a Ballad Health news release said Friday.This is due to a rapid increase in the flu and norovirus cases across the region, the health provider said."The rapid surge of these illnesses raises two concerns: First, the protection of patients who are potentially vulnerable (older than 65, younger than six, or who have chronic medical conditions), and second, the impact on staffing when team members contract the illness and cannot work," the release stated. "This may lead to short staffing, further impacting patient care and overwhelming other team members."The order includes all hospitals and outpatient care sites, including all Ballad Health Medical Associates offices and long-term care facilities.Enhanced visitation restrictions are also being implemented to curb the spread of these highly contagious illnesses.Ballad Health officials said the measures will remain in effect until Jan. 14, when they will be re-evaluated based on regional health data.Ballad Health is also implementing the Enhanced Visitation Restriction policy, beginning Jan. 2.As part of this policy, hospitals are asking the following individuals to refrain from visiting patients:Anyone who has flu-like symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.Anyone younger than 18Any groups of more than two adults per patient.Visitation exceptions will be made for end-of-life patients as well as patients in family birth or Niswonger Children's Hospital.The dominant strain in the region is Influenza A, and it continues to spread rapidly throughout the region. Ballad Health reported 1,416 cases of flu the week of Dec. 22, for an average of 202 cases per day. The health system reported almost 600 cases in two days this week, showing a marked increase in flu transmission following holiday gatherings.Flu cases are expected to continue increasing.