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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter ... Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter ... HEALTH Providence lifts flu-related visitor restrictions Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 1:53 PM Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 3:16 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 1:53 PM Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 3:16 PM » Social News Providence Medford Medical Center has lifted precautions it instituted nearly a month ago to lower the risk of spreading influenza. Visitors 18 and younger, who were temporarily barred from visiting patients in the hospital, are now allowed. A temporary limit of two visitors per patient also has been lifted. The restrictions were instituted Jan. 23 in response to a higher-than-average incidence of flu cases in Jackson County compared with the state average. From Jan. 11-17,  about 5.2 percent of visits to emergency rooms in Jackson County stemmed from flu-like illnesses, compared with about 3.9 percent statewide, according to the county. The number was slightly higher in December — 5.3 percent of all visits — when the flu season is believed to have peaked. In addition to restrictions on visitors, the hospital encouraged staff to wear gowns, masks, gloves and goggles to prevent spread of the virus. Flu cases have continued to dwindle since January, though recent percentages were not immediately available, said Hillary Brown, Providence public affairs coordinator. County health officials have said this year's flu vaccine was not as effective as hoped. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 1:53 PM Updated Feb 16, 2015 at 3:16 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501