In an effort to limit the effects of a nasty flu bug in the Southeast, Rest Haven Nursing Home is limiting visitors. 

Tannis Nickel is the Rest Haven Director of Nursing. She says at one point, approximately 10% of their population was sick with the stomach flu at the same time. She notes last Friday they decided to limit visits. 

“In order to contain the flu, there are some really good precautions that we need to take and put in place to protect the residents and the staff here so we have had visitors remain to visiting one person if they are coming to visit at Rest Haven and kind of keeping it to immediate family.”

Nickel says most of the residents who become ill with this stomach flu recover within 24 to 48 hours. She adds they have been able to manage the flu symptoms fairly well and they hope to be back to normal soon.

“It all depends on how fast residents are getting better. We are on a decline now where there has been less residents sick over the last week. Hopefully, within a week we will be able to resume as normal.”

Dr. Michael Routledge with Southern Health says Bethesda Hospital is also dealing with cases of Viral illness and notes visitors may be asked to take some extra precautions before visiting.