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TOLEDO -- As the flu epidemic spreads through northwest Ohio, Promedica and Mercy hospital systems have both announced temporary changes to their visitation policies.

Mercy is asking visitors with flu like symptoms to avoid visiting their hospitals. ProMedica is restricting visitors under 18 and those with flu-like symptoms from their hospitals and long term care facilities.

Flu-like symptoms are defined as a fever greater than 100 degrees or feverish with a cough. Visitors at ProMedica also be limited to two per patient at any given time and all visitors will be asked to follow established hand hygiene procedures when entering and leaving patient rooms.

“We appreciate the cooperation of our visitors in our efforts to help protect the health and well-being of our patients and employees,” said Brian Dick, corporate director of ProMedica Infection Prevention and Control.

There may be some exceptions to the visitation restrictions involving patients who are critically or terminally ill, which will be determined by a nurse manager or Infection Prevention and Control personnel.

For more information about the flu, including prevention tips, visit www.cdc.gov.