Banner Health announced it is restricting visitors at its Greeley and Loveland hospitals because of the current enterovirus 68 outbreak.
“We have not had any confirmed cases out of our hospitals at this time, but there have been confirmed cases in Colorado,” Banner Health Western Region spokesman Paul Matthews said. “We know it is spreading, and that’s why we decided to implement the visitor restrictions at this time.”
Nationally, health officials say 22 states now have confirmed cases of the unusual respiratory illness in children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said Friday that 160 lab-confirmed cases were reported in the 22 states. On Tuesday, the CDC’s count was 130 cases in 12 states.
The newest states are California, Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington.
The virus can cause mild to severe illness, with the worst cases needing life support for breathing difficulties. Kids with asthma have been especially vulnerable. No deaths were reported.
The strain is not new but rarely seen, and only a small number of labs can test for it. A spike in cases was first identified in mid-August.
The restrictions at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley and McKee Medical Center in Loveland include:
• Do not visit the hospital if you have fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhea
• No visitors under the age of 13
• Siblings who do not have cold and flu symptoms may visit a new baby on the obstetrics unit, but may be screened for illness by staff before being allowed to visit
• Children 12 and under must be supervised by an adult at all times in public waiting areas and cafeterias
• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently while at the hospital
