Anderson Hospital in Maryville has put in place a restriction on visitors during the flu season.

Due to a rapid increase in positive flu swabs, as well as ER and inpatient volumes, the hospital is restricting visitors as follows:

* Pavilion for Women will limit visitors to four people as designated by the mother of the baby. Visitors may include the baby's siblings.

* Patient Floors is restricting visitors to those over 18. No one under 18 may visit the patient floors with the exception of siblings in the obstetrics department.

Visitors with cold or flu-like symptoms are requested to not visit patients at the hospital.

"Patients are hospitalized for a reason, so we cannot risk subjecting them to the flu and other cold viruses," said Lisa Klaustermeier, Chief Nursing Officer at Anderson Hospital. "We regret any inconveniences, but the health of our patients is our priority."