CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolinas HealthCare System and Novant Health will lift restrictions on visitors under age 18 on Thursday morning, February 5th. Prompting the lift was a steady decline in the number of patients being seen with flu-like symptoms.
Carolinas HealthCare System hospitals that will lift the restrictions are: Carolinas Medical Center, Levine Children’s Hospital, Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast, Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy, Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville, Carolinas Medical Center-Union, Carolinas Medical Center-University, Carolinas HealthCare System Lincoln, Carolinas HealthCare System Cleveland, Carolinas HealthCare System Kings Mountain, Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge, Stanly Regional Medical Center, Carolinas HealthCare System Anson, Carolinas HealthCare System Behavioral Health-Randolph, Carolinas HealthCare System Behavioral Health-Davidson, Carolinas Rehabilitation-Charlotte, Carolinas Rehabilitation-NorthEast and Carolinas Rehabilitation-Mt. Holly.
The restrictions have been lifted at all 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 Haymarket Medical Center, Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital, Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center, Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center, Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, Novant Health Medical Park Hospital, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Novant Health Prince William Medical Center, Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center.
Between the months of December and January there had been a major decrease in patients with flu-like symptoms in the emergency departments of Carolinas HealthCare System hospitals in the Charlotte area. Even with this decline, hospital officials recommend that visitors not come to the hospital if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Carolinas HealthCare System and Novant Health recommends everyone wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose with hands. Individuals exhibiting flu symptoms still should not visit patients.
Contrary to popular belief, most people do not need to see a doctor or nurse if they are experiencing flu symptoms. People with the flu can stay home and treat symptoms. Those with serious complications such as severe dehydration, trouble breathing or chest pains, need to seek care immediately.
For more information on flu symptoms and urgent care wait times visit: http://www.carolinashealthcare
