UPDATED MEDIA ADVISORY FOR JAN. 3, 2025: Ballad Health implements facility masking and enhanced visitation restrictions amid surge in flu and norovirus cases 

Ballad Health is responding to a sharp increase in influenza and norovirus cases across the region by implementing temporary safety measures to protect patients, team members and the community.

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. This may lead to short staffing, further impacting patient care and overwhelming other team members.

Starting Jan. 2, all Ballad Health facilities will require masking for team members and allied healthcare providers in patient care areas and during any patient interactions, regardless of vaccination status. This 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.

To ensure the safety of vulnerable patients and to mitigate staffing challenges caused by illness among team members, these 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 18
• Any 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.

Like all respiratory illnesses, flu is spread by tiny droplets that are released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Wearing a mask is an effective method of reducing the spread of respiratory illness, including flu, and is highly encouraged for visitors in Ballad Health facilities. Additionally, frequent hand washing and practicing respiratory etiquette, such as covering coughs and sneezes, help slow the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu.

Flu can be spread for a full day before a person starts showing symptoms, so Ballad Health encourages community members to call the hospital to check on a patient’s condition rather than visit in person. 
The health system has noted an increase in norovirus cases, mirroring a nationwide trend. Norovirus can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, and the resulting dehydration can lead to hospitalization for some people.

While norovirus is not transmitted the same way as respiratory illnesses, it is still highly contagious. Frequent and proper hand washing with soap and water is the best way to prevent norovirus infection, as is restraining from sharing food or utensils with other people. As norovirus can be transmitted through infected surfaces, frequently disinfecting areas that could be infected is also advised.

While most people who contract influenza or norovirus will recover without medical intervention, flu can be severe and even deadly for certain groups of people, including adults older than 65, children younger than 6 and those with certain medical conditions.

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone older than 6 months, especially pregnant women, adults older than 65 and anyone with a weakened immune system. Ballad Health also offers flu tests at all its urgent care and retail pharmacy locations, or patients can ask their primary care practitioner for a flu test.