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Corewell Health limiting visitors at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids
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Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids

Responding to an increase in respiratory illnesses, Grand Rapids-based Corewell Health is limiting the number of visitors in its pediatric areas of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital due to a high number of patient admissions

Effective immediately, only two people are permitted at a patient’s bedside during the day and only one can stay overnight.

The new restrictions only apply to pediatric inpatient units, which remain open and ready to care for patients. There also may be longer wait times, and patients may be asked to share rooms, however patients who are siblings would room together.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as of January 25th, about 9.5% of emergency room visits and just over 4,200 hospital admissions in the state were associated with acute respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, or RSV.

The MDHHS also says that most Michiganders are not up to date on respiratory illness vaccinations, with only 11-percent having been vaccinated for COVID-19 and just over 23-percent receiving the flu vaccine.

Corewell and the MDHHS are urging all residents to get vaccinated. Masks are optional for patients and visitors at all Corewell sites, except at long-term care, skilled nursing facilities and transplant clinics.

Dave joined WGVU Public Media in November of 2023 after eighteen years as a Michigan Association of Broadcasters Emmy-nominated photojournalist and editor at Grand Rapids' WOOD TV8 and three years at WEYI TV25 in Flint, Michigan. As a General Assignment Reporter, Dave covers daily news and community events all over West Michigan.
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