CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Local hospitals are starting to lift flu restrictions placed on visitors earlier this year.
Iredell Health System lifted flu restrictions, effective Thursday.
“Restrictions like this are necessary to help protect our patients as well as our staff and visitors,” says Pam Gill, Director of Infection Prevention for Iredell Health System.
“Staying in good health helps you fight anything,” says Gill. “We promote wellness, both for our patients and our staff. Any time you can stay healthy, exercise, and eat right, you’re less likely to get a disease. And if you do get something, the duration is shorter, the symptoms are less severe, and your body is able to fight it off better.”
Atrium and Novant Health say flu restrictions for visitors 12 and under will be lifted, effective at 7 a.m. on Friday, March 29th at all hospitals within their systems. Piedmont Medical Center says they will lift restrictions on Monday, April 1st.
Hospital officials with Atrium say a significant drop in the number of patients being seen with flu-like symptoms prompted the change.
To prevent confusion among the public and to better control the spread of flu throughout the region, Atrium Health and Novant Health joined Cone Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health and Randolph Health in lifting the restrictions on the same day and time.
All hospitals still ask that individuals of all ages not visit the hospital if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, unless they are seeking treatment.
