Bassett Medical in Cooperstown Restricts Visitation Due to Flu Outbreak

State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah recently announced that reported cases of influenza are increasing throughout New York and flu activity in the state is now considered to be widespread.

The number of people exhibiting flu-like symptoms in central New York and counties neighboring Otsego County mirrors those trends.

For this reason, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown is restricting visitation at the birthing center and on the pediatric unit. Individuals 14 years of age and younger will not be allowed to visit maternity or pediatric patients. Only parents, grandparents and birthing coaches may visit.

In response to a sudden increase in flu cases, some hospitals in central New York have limited visitation across all units, but Bassett is not yet taking this step as the number of flu cases in Otsego County hasn’t risen to a level that would indicate this is necessary. If there is a substantial increase in the number of people exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the visitor restrictions may be expanded.