CHARLOTTE — Novant Health and Atrium Health will implement temporary visitor restrictions starting on Tuesday to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
At Novant Health, kids under 13 won’t be allowed to visit except under special circumstances.
For adults, if you have any respiratory symptoms you’re asked to stay home.
Masks are optional.
Click here for more information.
At Atrium Health, children under 12 should not go to acute care hospitals, emergency departments, rehabilitation units and facilities, behavioral health, inpatient hospice, infusion centers, and certain cancer areas including bone marrow transplant clinics.
Click here for more information.
Visitors are asked to wear masks when in areas of direct patients and in the waiting room for the emergency room.
Both healthcare systems urge people to stay home when sick, get vaccinated, and practice good respiratory hygiene, including washing hands.
Dr. Katie Passaretti with Atrium Health said they have consulted area healthcare providers who are also watching the spread of respiratory illness increase dramatically.
“These additional measures are really to protect our patients when you’re susceptible in our acute care areas,” she said.
Resident Mary Nichols-Smith said she has had Covid and respiratory illness in the past and she doesn’t want to see it spread again.
“I think it’s a good idea,” she said about the restrictions. “I have daughters with asthma.
South Carolina flu activity is considered very high with more than 3,000 lab-confirmed cases as of Jan. 4, which is an increase from 2,100 cases the week before.
In North Carolina, flu activity is high.
The Department of Health and Human Services says 2,100 people have been admitted to the hospital for respiratory illness, which is up from 1,800 the week before.
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