SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye Medical Center in south-central Minnesota is restricting visitors because of the flu outbreak.

CEO Kevin Sellheim said that the restriction implemented this week is similar to what the medical center did in 2009 during the H1N1 outbreak. That means until further notice, only immediate family is allowed to visit patients in the hospital.

Sellheim said the step was taken to slow the spread of the flu from patient-to-patient, but officials also made the move to keep staff healthy.