As all Carle Health service areas throughout central and southeastern Illinois face increasing rates of respiratory illness, on Jan. 1, 2026, the health system is taking temporary precautions in line with the comprehensive viral respiratory prevention and control recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The updated guidelines include:
- Patient rooms are limited to two visitors at a time, and visitors must be 18 years or older.
- Anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while in our facilities.
“Carle Health continuously monitors the rate of RSV, flu, COVID-19 and other infections in the areas we serve and have seen a steady incline over the past weeks,” Robert Healy, MD, Carle Health Quality, Patient Safety and Patient Experience chief associate medical director said. “Based on this data and the recommendations of IDPH and CDC, taking additional, temporary precautions in our care facilities is necessary to reduce the spread of illness."
Lowering the amount of symptomatic interaction between community members with temporary visitor restrictions has helped patients recover quicker and reduced the amount people who contract infections. Studies continue to show the positive impact masks and reducing exposure can offer to lessen the transmission of viral illnesses.
Carle Health experts will continue to evaluate respiratory illness rates and provide an update when levels reach a point where the temporary restrictions can be lifted. Taking these measures will help all community members stay well, especially those most at risk like the young, elderly and immunocompromised.
The health system continues to encourage all community members to stay mindful throughout the season to maintain good hand hygiene, wear a mask when symptomatic, stay home when feeling ill, and stay up to date on eligible vaccines to create a healthier community.
For more information about visitor guidelines at Carle Health facilities, visit carle.org.
Categories: Culture of Quality
Tags: CDC, COVID-19, Flu, IDPH, Illness, Mask, Policy, Quality, Respiratory, RSV, Visitor