More Ohio hospitals limit visitors during flu season

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — More Ohio hospitals are placing restrictions on visitors to stop the spread of swine flu and seasonal flu.

Starting today, Akron Children’s Hospital will let patients be visited only by up to two parents or primary caregivers. The hospital also wants only small numbers of family members with patients in the emergency room or outpatient surgery waiting room.

Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Gregg DiGiulio says the hospital has seen a big upswing in people suffering from fever and cough and wants to limit visits by potential flu carriers.

In Columbus, Nationwide Children’s Hospital won’t allow any visitors under 12 beginning Monday. The hospital says young children are more likely to carry and spread viruses.