Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 5 a.m. until further notice, EvergreenHealth will be screening all visitors for flu-like symptoms before allowing access to its inpatient hospital areas in Kirkland.

EvergreenHealth will direct visitors to four main screening points where staff will check for flu symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat and body aches.

This year’s influenza has been widespread throughout the U.S., with regional King County health care facilities reporting higher than usual cases of the illness. EvergreenHealth aims to ensure the safety of all staff, providers, patients and community members, and implementing these preventive measures to keep everyone safer from the flu this season.

If a visitor shows signs of the flu and is seeking medical treatment at EvergreenHealth, they will be asked to wear a mask during the visit. However, if the visitor is not seeking medical care themselves, they will be asked to postpone the visit until their flu symptoms have subsided.

Additionally, children under the age of 16, who are among those most susceptible to the illness, are restricted from visiting the medical center regardless of showing signs of the flu, with the exception being children who have an immediate family member in the Family Maternity Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Pediatric Care Unit.

For those units only, visitors will be screened and permitted to visit their family member, so long as they do not show any signs of the flu.

All other Kirkland campus buildings and other EvergreenHealth locations throughout the Eastside, including primary care, urgent care and specialty care locations, will not be screening and will allow regular access for staff, patients, volunteers and other visitors.