Hospitals have started restricting visitors as flu picks up in the area. You might want to call ahead before making the trip to any hospital to visit.

There's been a big jump in reported flu cases this month. In Danville, at Presence United Samaritans Medical Center, more than 100 patients have been treated since February. That's either through coming to the emergency room or being admitted to the hospital.

Carle Foundation Hospital has had 64 emergency room visits in the last week due to influenza-like illness, and the hospital admitted three people.

The Illinois Department of Public Health issued an alert Thursday about flu being on the rise in several counties, and advised hospitals to begin visitor restrictions.

94.1 WGFA