Hospitals Restrict Children's Visits Because of Enterovirus 68
GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4) - A virus that's sickened hundreds of children nationwide has forced hospitals in Weld and Larimer counties to keep kids from patients.
Starting this week, kids younger than 13 are not allowed to visit patients at Banner Health's hospitals, including its Greeley and Loveland campuses, because of enterovirus 68 cases.
The virus, with its common cold symptoms, has made people in 19 states and Canada sick. Several dozen children in Colorado have fallen ill. The virus mostly affects children as school starts. There's no known cause for this outbreak.
At the North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, the chief of staff, Dr. John Breen, says they haven't seen any enterovirus 68 cases. But they're taking precautions. The only exception: Children wishing to visit newborn siblings can enter the hospital, but they have to be screened by a nurse first.
Enterovirus 68 is considered less harmful than influenza. Good hygiene, including washing hands, is the best defense.