Health systems across the Triad are limiting visitors due to an increased number of flu cases in the area.
The restrictions affect visitors age 12 and under, but do not apply to those seeking emergency care or those who are patients. Exceptions can be made for those with extenuating circumstances.
This is a coordinated effort among six regional health systems including Carolinas Healthcare System, Novant Health, Cone Health, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Randolph Health and High Point Regional.
Dr. Christopher Ohl with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center says the precaution helps protect patients and staff.
“Children oftentimes are more likely to have some of the respiratory viruses including influenza," he says. "Kids oftentimes will be shedding greater amounts of the virus and have more trouble containing that virus [with] appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette and hand washing and so forth.”
Ohl says hospitals will likely lift the restrictions when the cold and flu season winds down, usually by late February or early March.