Some Valley hospitals, including Chandler Regional Medical Center and Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, still have visitor restrictions in place. Restrictions started earlier than usual — back in August — for many facilities because of the H1N1 virus.
Banner Health facilities require visitors to be at least 12 years old. Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center require visitors to be at least 13.
Restrictions remain in place as the Valley enters its influenza and RSV season. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a respiratory virus that can appear as a common cold in adults, but can be deadly to younger children. The latest numbers from the state Department of Health Services showed children 1 year old and younger made up the highest number of lab-confirmed RSV cases in January.
