St. Joseph and Candler’s hospitals have announced that due to a rapidly increasing number of flu cases in our area, they are implementing visitor restrictions to protect patients, visitors and hospital employees. Compared to last year, however, the number of cases are still relatively low, the announcement said, but because they are above the state’s baseline for flu cases, restrictions are being instituted: • Those under the age of 18 cannot visit patients at the Telfair Birthplace at Candler Hospital unless they are the primary caretaker.