COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nationwide Children's Hospital implemented a tough visitation policy effective on Monday as the H1N1 virus spreads.
The policy states that no child under the age of 12 may visit a patient and they must be an immediate family member.
Columbus and Franklin County health officials say 95 percent of all flu cases are the H1N1 strain and its just beginning to grip Central Ohio.
With such a high infection rate, at what point do health officials shut down public gatherings at places such as Ohio Stadium and Nationwide Arena?
Fans sit in close proximity to each increasing the chance of spreading the H1N1 flu. The state and local health departments have the power to shut down the venues in the event exposure spirals out of control.
"It would have to be hospitals are overwhelmed and all out infrastructure is overwhelmed with the patients and hopefully we are not going to get to that," said Dr. Dennis Cunningham, of Nationwide Children's Hospital.
"We would absolutely be committed first in working with partnership and obviously if we needed to mandate certain venues either to close or limit large gatherings and places where people could come in contact and spread this infection," said Dr. Teresa Long, Columbus Public Health Commissioner.
Health officials confirmed that a 14-year-old boy died Thursday evening after contracting the H1N1 virus. Read More
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