(Published Friday, Nov. 20 2009) Ball Memorial Hospital has lifted its H1N1 flu-related visitation restrictions.

The restrictions are being lifted because the hospital has seen a “steady decline” in H1N1-related illness, Ball Memorial officials announced late Thursday morning.

The hospital began restrictions on Oct. 7, citing an increase in flu patients and concerns that the virus would circulate among patients and visitors. The hospital limited patients to two healthy visitors. A week later, the hospital tightened its visitation polices further, limiting visitors to “essential” visitors.

Leslie Cowan, senior administrative director for critical patient services, said the hospital will continue to monitor the number of patients with flu-like symptoms.

Since the restrictions were imposed, the hospital and Delaware County Health Department oversaw H1N1 vaccinations for more than 2,500 health-care workers and emergency personnel.

Cowan asked area residents to continue precautions.

“We still ask that you cover your cough, wash your hands and do not visit the hospital if you are sick,” she said in a statement.

Indiana’s flu-related death total since June 1 is now at 30, with 28 of those confirmed H1N1-related, state health officials said Thursday.

The state has received 890,300 doses of H1N1 vaccine, and 438,856 doses of vaccine had been administered as of Monday. Officials suspect more has been administered but a lag in the reporting the information into a statewide databank.