SAVANNAH, Ga. () — In response to the flu season, St. Joseph’s/Candler has implemented visitor limitations across all its locations.

Effective Monday, Dec. 22, the hospital will tighten visitation rules due to a rise in flu cases throughout the area. These measures aim to safeguard patients who are at higher risk of complications from influenza exposure.

Individuals who haven’t received a flu vaccine this season or those exhibiting any respiratory symptoms must wear a mask while visiting any of the facilities. This applies to locations including:

• St. Joseph’s Hospital, located at 11705 Mercy Boulevard in Savannah
• Candler Hospital, located at 5353 Reynolds St. in Savannah
• Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, located at 225 Candler Dr. in Savannah
• St. Joseph’s/Candler – Pooler Campus, located at 101 St. Joseph’s/Candler Dr. in Pooler
• St. Joseph’s/Candler – Bluffton Campus, located at 100 Buckwalter Place Blvd. in Bluffton

Additionally, those under the age of 18 are prohibited from visiting patients at St. Joseph’s/Candler, including the Telfair BirthPlace at Candler Hospital, unless they are the primary caregiver for the patient.

If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with a respiratory illness, St. Joseph’s/Candler strongly advises against visiting any of their facilities. Common symptoms to watch out for include:

• Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Cough
• Muscle, joint or body ache
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

You can find more details on these restrictions here.