Some visiting restrictions have gone into effect as WMC feels the impact of the flu season

It's definitely flu season in Northeast Iowa.

Currently half of the inpatients at Winneshiek Medical Center have flu symptoms.  WMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Flinchbaugh says because of that, the hospital is limiting public visits to patients in neonatal rooms.  There are no restrictions yet on visitors to other rooms, but Flinchbaugh says the hospital is about to start an informational drive informing the public of the steps people can take to keep from getting the flu.  The hope is that the effort will reduce the number of flu patients in the area.