Officials at Jameson Health System in New Castle are asking the public to limit visits to the hospital because of the flu.

The limitations are to maintain comfort, safety and security and to prevent exposure to the flu virus, a news release said. The limitation of visitors includes all areas of the hospital, including the emergency department and surgical areas.

"We are just using precautions at this point due to upper respiratory viruses that are going around," said Linda Cody, director of public relations for the health system. "It's a high census and we're just taking precautions to limit visitors."

Ms. Cody noted, however, that "if there is a critical situation where a family needs to visit, we'll do whatever we can to accommodate that."