Ottawa Regional Hospital has seen a decline in the number of patients beings screened for the flu, following the recent spread of swine flu across the country.

"At the end of last week we had an increase of people coming in to be screened," said Registered Nurse Kerry Gerding, infection control coordinator. "It's been slowing down this week."

Additional signs remain in the hospital's three main entrances, asking those who are coughing to wear a face mask to avoid the spread of viruses. The hospital also supplies hand sanitizer in entrances and hallways year-round.

"We're still on alert for cases," Gerding said. "We're educating patients and staff, keeping up to date on the current status."

John W. Albrecht Medical Center is scaling back on its swine flu prevention. Offices in Pontiac, Flanagan, Dwight, Cullom, Chatsworth, Fairbury, Minonk and Chenoa suspended the the three-question H1N1 flu screening process at its entrances at noon Thursday. The screening process was activated last week as a proactive measure to prevent the spread of the virus, after the World Health Organization raised the pandemic risk level to 5 on a scale of 6. In the days since, all people entering the medical center and offices have been asked about the presence of symptoms, recent travel and contact with sick or symptomatic individuals.

For up-to-date information on confirmed cases in La Salle County and flu prevention, Ottawa Regional has established a hotline at 815-431-5721. Information also is available online at www.ottawaregional.org.

St. Mary's Hospital was not available for comment.

As of Thursday, no confirmed or probable cases had been reported in La Salle or Livingston counties. In Illinois, there are 258 confirmed cases and 22 probable cases. Across the nation, there are 896 confirmed cases in 42 states — an increase of 242 cases since Wednesday.