Hampton Roads hospitals urge visitors to don masks

Wednesday January 9, 2013 12:00 PM

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Hospitals in Hampton Roads are urging patients and visitors to wear a mask at their facilities to help stop the spread of the flu.

The recommendation was issued Wednesday by more than two dozen medical centers. In a joint statement, the hospitals said the recommendation applies to hospitals, urgent care centers and branch clinics, among others.

The medical facilities making the recommendations include Bon Secours Health System, Sentara Healthcare and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.

The hospitals say the recommendations come at a time when seasonal influenza cases have doubled compared with the same period last year.

Symptoms of flu include fever and respiratory illness such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, chills, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.

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