Altru, Mercy hospitals react to flu season

Hospitals in the northern Red River Valley have reacted differently to this year’s unusually virulent flu season.

At Altru Health System in Grand Forks, there are no restrictions on who can visit patients, but the hospital asks that visitors use their best judgment, according to officials there. Those that are sick should stay home unless they absolutely must visit.

The hospital has so-called “cough stations” with surgical masks, hand sanitizers and Kleenex at entrances and elevators, officials said.

At Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, only immediate family members are allowed to visit patients, and those that show flu-like symptoms will be asked to wear surgical masks, officials said.

Only one person is allowed to accompany patients headed for the emergency room.

There is no timetable for lifting the restriction, officials said.

Tags: grand forks, gf and egf, altru health system, mercy hospital, devils lake, north dakota, updates, news, flu, diseases