Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Springfield Memorial Hospital put visitor limits in place starting Friday to help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

The rules follow a recommendation from the Illinois Department of Public Health as cases surge statewide. The restrictions apply to inpatient units at all five Memorial Health hospitals, including Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield, and Taylorville. Outpatient services like urgent care and lab visits are not affected.

Each patient can have up to two visitors at a time, and visitors must be at least 18 years old and symptom-free. Masks are not required but are available.