CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Atrium Health, like many health systems across the Carolinas, has seen an increase in respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV. Due to this increase, Atrium Health will implement temporary visitor restrictions for children age 12 and younger, starting at 7 a.m., Thursday, December 7.
To reduce the possibility of spreading viruses, visitors who are age 12 and younger will not be permitted to visit patients in our hospitals, behavioral health and inpatient rehabilitation locations. Under certain circumstances, such as visiting a dying family member, the patient’s care team may make arrangements for visitors under 12. Throughout the year, and especially right now, visitors who do not feel well or who have a confirmed case of flu, RSV, COVID-19 or any other respiratory virus should not visit.
“It is essential we protect our most vulnerable patients during respiratory virus season,” said Dr. Katie Passaretti, vice president and enterprise chief epidemiologist for Atrium Health. “We have seen in the past how these viruses, such as COVID-19, flu and RSV can cause severe disease and even death. We recognize that visitor restrictions may be inconvenient for some, but they are temporary changes to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our patients, as well as our teammates and our community.”
