Mask requirements are now back at Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospital. Hospital officials say masks are now required in the hospital and certain areas are restricted because of the concern about respiratory infection or illnesses.

MASKS REQUIRED AND CERTAIN AREAS RESTRICTED

Because the hospital is small and the demand is growing hospital officials are urging people not to seek help at the hospital if they don't need it for an emergency. They hope people who don't feel good visit their doctor or an urgent clinic for non-emergency concerns. They hope to preserve space for those most in need.

610 KONA logo
Get our free mobile app

GET THAT FLU SHOT YET?

Along with the new requirement of masks officials at the hospital are also urging everyone to be up to date with COVID and influenza vaccinations. They also are limiting the number of visitors in certain areas because of a shortage of staff and the need to prevent the spread of sickness within the facility.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS;

Masking:

·       Masking is required for all staff, patients, and visitors within all MYMH facilities.

·       Exception: Children under two years of age

Visitors: 

·       Patients will be limited to 2 visitors at one time, except Family Birthplace who may have 3 visitors.

·       Exception: Hospice/end of life patients may have more than 2 visitors at one time. 

·       Clinics:  No visitor restrictions

 

THE FIRST FLU DEATH OF THE SEASON HAS HAPPENED IN YAKIMA

Yakima County is reporting the first flu death of the season. Yakima Health District officials say the person was between the ages of 30 and 49-years-old. They say flu activity in Yakima County is following last year's trend based on the total number of flu tests conducted during the week of November 5 to November 11 which showed 8.6% were positive flu tests. Compare those numbers to a month earlier when health officials say 1.0% of the rapid tests were positive.

MORE TOP STORIES FROM LANCE:

25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?

Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Stacker used data from the 2020 County Health Rankings to rank every state's average life expectancy from lowest to highest. The 2020 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2016-2018 National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2019 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively.

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang

LOOK: 50 cozy towns to visit this winter

Stacker created a list of 50 cozy American towns to visit each winter. Towns were selected based on visitor opinions, ratings from nationwide publications, and tourist attractions.

Gallery Credit: Laura Ratliff

More From 610 KONA