INDIANA – In a coordinated effort to combat what health officials are calling the most severe flu season in 25 years, hospitals across Indiana have moved to restrict visitor access.
Daviess Community Hospital in Washington, Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, and Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper joined a growing list of facilities implementing temporary safety protocols this week. The move comes as hospitals report a surge in patient volumes tied to the “triple threat” of influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
The restrictions, effective immediately at most Southwest Indiana facilities, are designed to protect vulnerable patients and maintain hospital staffing levels. The primary rules include:
- Symptom Screening: No visitors are permitted if they exhibit symptoms of respiratory illness, including fever, cough, headache, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, or a runny nose.
- Age Limits: To further limit spread, no visitors under the age of 16 are allowed at most Southwest Indiana facilities.
Hospitals belonging to the Community Patient Safety Coalition of Southwest Indiana/Kentucky—including the Ascension St. Vincent and Deaconess networks—noted that exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for specific circumstances, such as end-of-life care or births.
Statewide Response: Other Hospitals with Restrictions
The surge is not isolated to the Tri-State area. Major health systems across Indiana have mirrored these precautions to manage the influx of respiratory cases:
| Region | Hospital Systems | Key Restrictions |
| Central Indiana | IU Health, Franciscan Health, Ascension St. Vincent, Community Health Network, Eskenazi Health | No visitors under 18; maximum of 2 visitors per patient. |
| Northeast Indiana | Parkview Health | No visitors under 13; maximum of 2 visitors per patient; masks strongly encouraged. |
| Lafayette / West | Franciscan Health (Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Rensselaer) | No visitors under 18; restricted access to inpatient areas and cancer centers. |
| Northwest Indiana | Franciscan Health (Munster) | No visitors under 14 in inpatient areas. |
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2025–2026 flu season has reached levels of severity not seen in over two decades. In Indiana alone, health officials confirmed that at least 17 individuals have already died from flu-related complications this season.
Health leaders continue to urge Hoosiers to get vaccinated, wash hands frequently, and stay home if they feel unwell to help alleviate the current strain on the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
