Both the Uintah Basin Healthcare and Ashley Regional Medical Center have been experiencing high volume of patients suffering from flu and RSV in the Emergency Room. Be aware that both facilities have activated their flu policy which affects visitation.The policy is that no children under the age of 14 are allowed in patient areas unless they are patients or have a need to be there. TriCounty Health Department states that “to date, the Uintah Basin has had 22 hospitalization cases of influenza, whereas the total of last year’s flu season hospitalizations was 77. Influenza is peaking later this year in the Basin and the rate of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) is higher than our hospitalization rate this year.” At this time it is essential to everyone’s health that the public use good respiratory etiquette. Uintah Basin Healthcare reminds all to “wash your hands, sneeze in your sleeve, and stay home when you’re sick. It is not too late to be vaccinated for the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months be vaccinated. Vaccinating now can protect or lessen the devastating effects of illness with Influenza.” If you are not sure if it is a cold or flu, go to the Uintah Basin Healthcare’s Facebook for a simple chart to help.
