Mary Lanning Healthcare restricting visitors due to COVID, RSV

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - Mary Lanning Healthcare announced temporary visitor restrictions Friday, due to the high levels of COVID, RSV and other respiratory illness among children in the Hastings area.

In a statement, Mary Lanning said visitors must be at least 14 years old in order to visit the Family Care Center floor. The restrictions are meant to protect newborns and their mothers during the days following birth.

Family Care Center Director Donna Munsell said normal visitor guidelines would return when respiratory illness levels decrease.

The South Heartland District Health Department Thursday warned of rising levels of COVID 19. SHDHD said more long-term care facilities are experiencing outbreaks and wastewater virus levels were climbing to high levels.

In a press release, the district reported “substantial” case rate increases. 51 new COVID cases were reported last week compared to 33 the week before. So far this week through Thursday, there were another 29 cases reported. The most current Nebraska Wastewater Surveillance Report showed an increase to “very high” levels for Hastings.