Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network announced Monday that their hospitals are temporarily restricting visitors because of community-wide surges in the the flu and flu-like illnesses.

Both networks said in prepared releases that visitors under age 18 will not be permitted in the hospitals. Also, people with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches) should not to come to the hospital to visit patients.

Lehigh Valley Hospital said the visitation restrictions apply to hospital inpatient areas only and do not affect outpatient, procedure, treatment, diagnostic or pharmacy locations.

St. Luke's University Health Network said the visitor restrictions are in effect at St. Luke’s Hospital – Allentown Campus; St. Luke’s Hospital – Anderson Campus; St. Luke’s University Hospital – Bethlehem; St. Luke’s Hospital – Miners Campus in Coaldale; St. Luke’s Hospital – Quakertown Campus, and St. Luke’s Hospital - Warren Campus in Phillipsburg.

The temporary visitor restrictions are being instituted in hospitals and long-term care facilities throughout the Lehigh Valley to help inhibit the spread of flu, as recommended by public health agencies, the networks said.