Uptick in RSV Temporarily Restricts Hospital Visitors

December 13, 2018, Madera CA: Due to a spike in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) throughout Madera County, Madera Community Hospital announces visitor restrictions.

Following patient safety protocols, during increases of highly contagious viruses, children under 13 years of age are restricted from visiting admitted hospital patients.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most common respiratory virus in infants and children. The virus is highly contagious. RSV is transmitted by touching, kissing, or any close contact with an infected person followed by contact with your own eyes, nose or mouth. The infection is also spread through the air, by coughing and sneezing. RSV can live for up to 7 hours on hard surfaces such as floors, countertops, and tables. Most children are contagious days before they are actually ill and can continue to be contagious days after they appear well. The visitation restrictions are necessary for the safety of hospitalized patients.

Madera Community Hospital provides free supervised child care in our Children’s Visitor Center. This service is available while parents receive services on the hospital premises or visit hospitalized patients. The Children’s Visitor Center is open Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and is located near Family Health Services. For Center information call (559) 675-5402.

For after hour symptom evaluation and treatment, RapidCare, is open Monday through Friday, 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. RapidCare is located on the Madera Community Hospital Campus, Southwest of the Emergency Department. No appointment is necessary and patients are cared for in order of arrival.