Flu deaths increase in Michiana, hospitals limit visitations

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Fear is growing across Michiana as the number of flu related deaths continue to rise.  With six confirmed flu related deaths just in Michiana, some hospitals are taking extreme measures.

The number of flu related deaths across Indiana has reached 11, and here in St. Joseph county, there are six confirmed flu related deaths.  

Doctors say everyone is vulnerable to the virus.

"That's one of the things that differentiates H1N1 is that it's hitting sometimes the very healthy, young adults and middle aged adults," says Dr. David Grellmann with Medpoint 24.

And the increase in deaths has some local hospitals taking extreme measures.  

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center has implemented visitation restrictions, no one under the age of 18 is allowed to visit, and only two visitors at a time per patient.

"Anytime you start to see an increase in people getting the flu and the severity of the flu increasing, we try to do things to contain the virus," says Dr. Byars Wells, an emergency physician with St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.