HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield has lifted visitor restrictions and mandatory masking for colleagues -- practices that were imposed due to flu season.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the hospital's infection control team, flu cases are on the decline and are now at a typical level for this time of year. As a result, hospital officials say flu precautions and general hospital-wide restrictions are no longer necessary.

While it is still possible for the hospital to receive influenza patients, other infection control measures must still be followed, such as hand hygiene.