Two leading North Carolina healthcare providers, Atrium Health and Novant Health, will implement temporary visitor restrictions at their hospitals starting January 14. The measures aim to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses such as RSV, COVID-19, and the flu.
Under the new rules, visitors under 12 years old will not be allowed in Atrium acute-care hospitals, emergency rooms, or certain rehabilitation units. At Novant facilities, visitors under 13 years old will be restricted from visiting hospitals.
While masks are required for all visitors at Atrium hospitals when interacting with patients directly or waiting in the emergency room, they are optional at Novant facilities.
Health officials stress the importance of staying home if sick and maintaining up-to-date vaccinations to prevent the spread of illnesses. The restrictions follow a CDC report showing an increase in cases of these respiratory illnesses.
Source: https://www.wbtv.com/2025/01/13/atrium-novant-have-visitor-restrictions-amid-spread-respiratory-illnesses