WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —Β Β Novant Health is asking the community to keep visitors age 12 and under out of all acute care facilities due to the widespread outbreak of the flu virus. This restriction is effective on Friday, Feb. 8th, at 7 a.m. until further notice.
Visitors age 13 and over who have a runny nose, sore throat, fever or cough are also encouraged not to visit patients at Novant Health facilities, out of concern for the health and well-being ofΒ patients. However, people who are seeking treatment at hospitals are not subject to the restriction.
βThe flu virus can be extremely dangerous to people who have compromised immune systems, cancer, kidney disease and other chronic conditions,β said Dr. Eric Eskioglu, executive vice president and chief medical officer, Novant Health. βIn order to protect our patients, we are asking members of the public who are 12 years and under or who may be sick with the influenza virus to not visit these facilities at this time.β
The restrictions apply to the following hospitals throughout the Novant Health system, including:
- Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
- Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital
- Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center
- Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
- Novant Health Hemby Childrenβs Hospital
- Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center
- Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center
- Novant Health Matthews Medical Center
- Novant Health Medical Park Hospital
- Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center
- Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
- Novant Health Rowan Medical Center
- Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center
- Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center
- Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center
- Novant Health UVA Health System Culpeper Medical Center
All visitors to any of these facilities should properly disinfect their hands by washing with soap and water or using sanitizing gel when entering and leaving the facilities in order to prevent the spread of the flu virus.
Children may be allowed access to hospital areas in the event of special circumstances such as visiting a dying family member. In these instances, parents should work with their nurse to make arrangements.
The restrictions were a joint decision among regional hospitals including Novant Health, Atrium Health, Cone Health, Randolph Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health. These healthcare systems will continue to evaluate the need for visitation restrictions on a weekly basis or more often as needed.
