Banner Health this weekend will begin enforcing seasonal visitor restrictions at its hospitals to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
Dr. Moneesh Bhow is medical director of the emergency department at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. He said influenza and COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Arizona.
“We’re seeing a higher percentage of patients that present to the emergency department with cough, runny nose, fever, body aches, GI symptoms, we’re seeing more of that population increasing over the past few weeks,” Bhow said.
Bhow said he expects to see cases continue to rise following Thanksgiving, since holiday gatherings tend to lead to a spike in respiratory viruses.
Bhow said if you do get sick, it’s important to avoid spreading it to anyone else.
“The main thing, really, is if you’re sick, stay home. It’s recommended that you stay home at least 24 hours until your fever is gone,” Bhow said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older. But the CDC says only about 35% of U.S. adults have had a flu shot so far during this respiratory virus season, and only 18% have had a COVID-19 shot.
