(Hyannis, January 8, 2010) Due to a decrease in the number of cases of H1N1 on Cape Cod and an increase in availability of H1N1vaccine, Cape Cod Healthcare announced today it has lifted its restriction of visitors under the age of 18 for Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital. Visitors of all ages are now welcome again at both hospitals.
Cape Cod Healthcare made the decision to restrict visitors under 18 last November, as a way to protect patients most at risk for H1N1 influenza and the seasonal flu. The restriction was to have stayed in place until April – the end of the flu season – or until there was a consistent decrease in patients testing positive for Influenza A, which includes H1N1.
Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital data shows that Influenza A activity peaked in mid-November and has steadily decreased since then. Similar decreases in cases have been seen statewide and nationwide as well.
The limited availability of both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines due to manufacturing issues back in the fall added to the decision to restrict visitors at the two hospitals. But, the vaccine is now widely available, and many children, as well as adults, have been immunized.
“The risk of H1N1 made it critical that we do everything we could to protect our staffs, our patients, and our community,” said Mike Lauf, CCHC Chief Operating Officer. “We are now comfortable that the risk has subsided enough for us to again be able to welcome all visitors to our hospitals.” While the visitor restriction has been lifted, CCHC continues to ask the general public to avoid visits to friends or family if they have cold or flu symptoms.
CCHC’s website, www.capecodhealth.org, has access to the latest available information on H1N1 and seasonal flu via links to the federal CDC website and the state DPH website. These documents are available in Portuguese and Spanish, as well as English. “We thank everyone for their cooperation,” Lauf said, “and for helping us make our hospitals as safe as possible during this influenza season.”
