Hospitals across North Carolina are implementing visitor restrictions because of increasing trends of respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus.
Duke University Health, UNC Hospitals, Cone Health, Novant Health, Iredell Memorial Hospital, Atrium Health and Randolph Health are among the organizations rolling out new guidelines in recent weeks.
Visitors under age 12 are not permitted in any Atrium Health, Randolph Health, Duke Health or Cone Health facility across the state. Novant Health restricts visitors younger than 13, and for UNC Hospitals, the age limit is 11 or 12, depending on the location. Iredell Memorial Hospital is not allowing visitors under 14.
Duke Health, Cone Health and Randolph Health are limiting the number of visitors to two at a time.
Atrium Health is asking patients and visitors to wear masks in their facilities, while the rest of the hospital organizations strongly recommend masks.
As cold and flu season continues, these hospitals are urging everyone to stay up to date on vaccinations, practice good hygiene and remain inside when feeling sick. U.S. flu season typically is from October to May.
These restrictions come as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports “the amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is at a high level.” COVID-19, influenza and RSV activity has remained elevated across the country.
The latest North Carolina Respiratory Virus Dashboard shows emergency room visits because of respiratory illnesses are on the rise across the state. While these illnesses were led by RSV a few weeks ago, there are now 1,742 cases of the flu and 1,032 cases of RSV.
The state has also seen an uptick in deaths from the flu, with health department data showing 15 deaths last week, up from 11 the previous week.
