Fears over enterovirus have hospitals across the U.S. stepping up precautions. In Massachusetts, Newton-Wellesley hospital is barring people under 19 from visiting certain units of the hospital.
Those people cannot visit the pediatric unit, the nursery, the special care nursery, or the maternity unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
It’s a temporary ban in place to protect against enterovirus D68.
It is a virus that affects primarily children and young adults, and can be especially dangerous to children with asthma. The virus has sickened more than 500 children in 43 states.
In New Jersey, the virus killed a young boy, so officials at hospitals around the country are taking special precautions, especially with newborns.
If you are wondering if your hospital has a ban or a new policy about children in maternity wards or nurseries, please call your hospital to find out.
