December 22, 2025 – As seasonal cold and flu cases increase, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) has announced temporary visitor restrictions across its Illinois hospitals to help protect patients, visitors, and health care staff.
Effective Monday, December 22, HSHS is limiting patient visitation to two visitors at a time. The guidelines are being implemented as a precautionary measure during respiratory illness season, when hospitals typically see an increase in flu, COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses.
HSHS officials are also asking visitors to stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness. This includes cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever or chills, sore throat, body or muscle aches, headache, cough, or a runny nose. In addition, visitors under the age of 18 are not permitted during this period.
Hospital leaders say the temporary guidelines are designed to reduce the spread of illness within health care facilities and help ensure a safe environment for patients who may already have weakened immune systems.
