Bradford Regional Medical Center is taking steps to keep patients, visitors and staff healthy in the height of flu season, and is prohibiting visitors under the age of 17 until further notice.

The policy is in effect for its sister hospital, Olean (N.Y.) General, as well. The only exception will be for healthy siblings visiting Olean’s OB/maternity floor.

Anyone with respiratory or flu-like symptoms arriving at the hospital will be given a face mask to prevent further transmission of germs. However, if people aren’t feeling well or suspect they have the flu, they should not visit the hospital, except to seek medical care.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as of Jan. 11, 66 total flu cases have been reported to the state from McKean County.

Since the flu season started in the end of September/ beginning of October, Terrie O’Brien, infection prevention and patient safety officer with BRMC, said they have had “a total of 46 Type B and 7 type A nasal swabs test positive. The majority of these have been diagnosed since the first of the year.

“We can expect to continue to see these numbers rise through the coming month and into February.”

There is still hope, though, O’Brien said, as it isn’t too late to receive a flu shot. Local primary care physicians and many local pharmacies administer the vaccine.

“It takes approximately two weeks to be effectively protected from the virus after vaccination,” she said. “At our facility we also provide immunizations to our patients who come in and have not previously received vaccine this season.

“If you do have a diagnosis of influenza, Tamiflu can be effective at reducing the symptoms of the disease, it is most effective when started soon after signs of disease begin,” O’Brien said.

“Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle or body aches, headache and increased fatigue,” she continued. “Some people do have vomiting and diarrhea with this, but this occurs more commonly in children.”

To help stop the spread of germs: