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(MINOT, ND) – Trinity Health officials are requesting the community’s cooperation to limit the spread of influenza in the region. As of noon today, Trinity has implemented visitation restrictions at both of its Minot hospital locations. According to the policy, the following restrictions are in effect until further notice:

ï Visitation is confined to immediate family members only.

ï Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to visit the hospital.

ï People experiencing flu-like symptoms or colds should not visit any patient.

The visitor restriction policy affects the main Trinity Hospital campus at 1 Burdick Expressway at Main, and Trinity Hospital ñ St. Joseph’s at 407 3rd Street Southeast.

‘We appreciate the community’s cooperation as we impose these restrictions,’ said Karen Zimmerman, Chief Nurse Officer. ‘We apologize for the inconvenience to family members and friends, but this measure is a necessary precaution to protect our patients and to help prevent the spread of the flu.’

Along with the restricted visitation, Trinity is providing masks at each hospital entrance and registration area for patients or others with flu-like symptoms who have a need to enter the hospital for care or for a purpose other than to visit patients.

Zimmerman says hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette are some of the best ways to avoid the flu:

ï Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer,

ï Avoid touching the face and eyes,

ï Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze,

ï Consider wearing a facemask to protect others if your cough/sneezing continues, and

ï Stay home from work or school if you are sick.

She also recommends people get the flu vaccine, which is available at any of Trinity’s three walk-in vaccination sites at Trinity Health South Ridge, 1500 24th Ave. SW; Health Center ñ Town & Country, 831 South Broadway; and Health Center ñ Medical Arts, 400 Burdick Expressway E.