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University of Minnesota Medical Center and University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital are acting to stem the spread of the flu virus, implementing temporary visitor policies in hospitals to reduce patient and employee exposure. The temporary policies will take effect Tuesday, Dec. 16, and last the duration of the flu season. This step was taken after the Minnesota Department of Health declared influenza to be widespread in the state.

The hospitals ask that you do not visit the hospitals if you may have the flu or if you have close contact with someone who is sick.

In addition, our hospitals will:

• Screen visitors for influenza-like symptoms or exposure to others with such symptoms. Visitors with influenza or exposure may not visit.
• Limit visitors to 5 years and older.
• Instruct patients and visitors on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched and use of Personal Protective Equipment.

The hospitals will make exceptions to the visitor rules on a case-by-case basis, for compassionate reasons. Notification of hospital visitor restrictions is posted at facility entrances, on hospital websites and in waiting areas.

Other hospitals included in the restrictions are:

• Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville
• Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina
• Fairview Northland Medical Center in Princeton
• Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming
• University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis
• University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis
• Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing.